Hard-working Fremd team looks sharp
The attack for Fremd’s girls volleyball team was expected to have all-area outside hitter Rebecca Clarke leading the way this season after she put down a team-high 160 kills as a junior.
Unfortunately, Clarke suffered a knee injury during summer league and she will be sidelined her senior campaign.
“We were really upset when it happened,” said Vikings senior libero Nina Scott, also a teammate of Clarke’s with the Rolling Thunder club team. “We didn’t think it was that bad at first. We were hoping she’d be OK.
“Even though she is out now, it means a lot to us that she is still on the bench supporting us and we are supporting her. We’ve got a ton of great people we are able to go to. And with Rebecca still there supporting us, we are still excited and working hard.”
The Vikes’ hard work on Tuesday kept their fans excited from start to finish.
Led by sophomore Lane Hindenburg (7 kills), sophomore Maise Koo (5) and senior Niole Obos (4), Fremd improved to 2-0 with a 25-13, 25-11 victory over visiting Elk Grove in the Mid-Suburban League crossover.
Veteran Vikings setter Marilyn Lortz (46-of-46) handed out 18 assists and Scott was 14-of-14 serving with a pair of aces as Fremd tuned up for its MSL West opener with Hoffman Estates on Thursday.
Lortz’ quick set for a Claire Brady kill made it 19-10 in Set 1.
“It’s exciting,” Scott added of the 2-0 start. “We are working on serving, especially trying to be aggressive. If we are serving and passing well, then we are able to control the game.”
The Vikes, who never trailed in the match, jumped to a 12-6 lead in Set 1 and 9-2 advantage in Set 2.
Scott served 2 aces to give Fremd a 2-1 lead in Set 2.
Brady put together a kill and a block for consecutive points and a 6-1 lead. The Vikes kept the momentum the rest of the way.
Tha match ended when Hindenburg isolated well for a tip (24-11) and Kendall Shoaf got the final point with a block.
“I thought we played a very controlled match,” said Fremd coach Curt Pinley. “We limited our errors. I think Elk Grove is a real nice team.
“If you can limit your errors to just a few, you’re going to put pressure on the other team, and I thought we did that.”
The Vikes serve received almost flawlessly, led by Hindenburg (7-of-8), Scott (4-of-4) and senior Christine Cammenga (4-of-4, who was also 8-of-9 serving.
“Unfortunately we had a mental breakdown that was very untimely,” said Grens coach Stephanie Kezios. “Early in Set 1, I wasn’t too worried (her team trailed 5-4) but then the Fremd girls went on a run and our girls just lost it.
“This is a very good Fremd team and I told our girls we are still capable of playing better.”