Hersey runner-up at Lake Park
Hersey’s girls volleyball team bounced back from its loss in Thursday’s Mid-Suburban League championship match to take second place at the Lake Park Invite.
Naperville North topped Hersey 25-22, 25-18 in the title match on Saturday.
“It was great to get back on the floor after that conference championship (two-set loss at Barrington) and get more experience for the state tournament,” said Huskies coach Nancy Lill, whose team is 29-6.
“Naperville North played tremendous defense. We had some great swings and nice rallies but their defense is outstanding. I give them a lot of credit.”
Despite missing the final set against Naperville North after a shoulder injury in Set 1, senior Kelsey Haas led the Huskies’ attack with 45 kills, followed by Kristen Pedersen (26), Maggie Hogen (18) and Erica Hill (16).
“Kelsey just tweaked the shoulder and we felt it was more important to keep her healthy for the state series rather than keep her on the floor,” Lill said. “We hope it’s just a minor thing and that she’ll be ready for Tuesday’s regional.”
Junior setter Abby Fesl handed out 114 assists from 256 sets and was 11-of-11 on attack with 8 kills.
“Abby had a phenomenal tournament, the best volleyball I’ve seen her play,” Lill added. “It’s so much fun having her play like this.”
Pedersen tweaked her ankle in the MSL title match.
“So we limited her play in the back row (Saturday) but she dominated offensively when she got the opportunity,” Lill said. “Maggie Hogen and Erica Hill are really coming into their own so it’s really nice to be able to operate on multiple cylinders right now.”
Fremd (25-9) went 3-2 in the tourney, and was led on attack by Rebecca Clarke (26 kills), Lane Hindenburg (18 kills), Jessi Wiedemann 28-33 (16 kills) and Claire Brady (16 kills).
Junior setter Marilyn Lortz handed out 100 assists. Nina Scott led the defense with 24 digs.
Conant (16-18) took first place in the bronze division (3-2 record) as Jenn Donnell (36 kills), Allie Bauch (21) and Morgan Peterson (15) led the attack set by Taylor Levitt (46 assists) and Loznjakovic (35 assists).
Buffalo Grove Invite: Coaching her last regular season match at Buffalo Grove, retiring Marianne O’Shea directed the Bison (16-14) to first place in their own tournament with a 4-0 record.
BG’s Alaina Murphy, Bailey North, Katie Okamoto and Mary Zawlocki were selected to the all-tourney team.
The Bison won all their matches in the two sets over Immaculate Conception, Addison Trail, Glenbard North and Wheeling.
Victoria Ito led the back row with 39 digs while Paige Smith (25 kills, 26 digs), North (21 kills, 9 blocks) ), Zawlocki (21 kills, 4 blocks) and Murphy (20 kills, 7 aces) led the attack.
Teammate Marie Georgoulis added 5 blocks while Kelly Kowal collected 35 digs and Okamoto 26.
Wheeling (6-28) went 1-3 in the invite as all-tourney selection Sydney Keith (15 ills) and Kellie Kuzmanic (13) led the Wildcats’ attack.