Comfortably, Wauconda wins own tournament

Wauconda’s girls volleyball team is getting more and more comfortable with its 6-2 offense that it installed at the beginning of the season.

Erinn Hellweg had a team-best 45 kills, and Megan Tallman added 43 kills, 48 assists, 31 digs and 7 aces, as the Bulldogs captured their own tournament championship with a 5-0 record Saturday.

Both Hellweg and Tallman made the all-tournament team.

Wauconda (12-5) also received 49 assists from Susan Karhoff and 51 digs and 8 aces from Rebecca Thiltgen. Hellweg had 31 digs and 7 aces, as well.

“It was a really nice day for our team,” Wauconda coach Bob Taterka said. “We were able to show a lot of looks that we have been working on in practice. The Grayslake Central match (25-19, 25-22) was extremely competitive, and we know they will be a great challenge down the road.”

Grayslake Central (14-7) went 4-1 on the day. The Rams were led by all-tournament selections Klaudia Basierak (21 kills) and Anna Basten (20 kills). Gabi Casper and Alex Dahlstrom had 22 and 20 kills, respectively.

“After a couple of heart-wrenching losses this week, we bounced back with some great volleyball today,” Grayslake Central coach Jason Janczak said. “We moved the ball around to all of our hitters very well. I’m proud of the girls for staying focused — even though it was their homecoming — and playing some great volleyball.”

Round Lake, which 1-4 on the day, placed Sara Placensia on the all-tournament team.

Hersey invite: Mundelein went 2-3, finishing in fourth place. Brittany Busscher had 22 kills and 8 aces for the Mustangs.

Mundelein (8-9) received 19 kills apiece from Madi Wilcox and Courtney Perreault. Karen Chin set 163 of 164 with 47 assists.