Claussen swings into action for Vernon Hills

Vernon Hills senior Jenn Claussen, an all-area softball player, was showing off her arm Wednesday night.

This time it was on the volleyball court.

Claussen’s 5 kills on 16-of-17 hitting and 6 aces on 12-of-14 serving led the Cougars to a 25-20, 26-24 win over Leyden in a nonconference match.

Vernon Hills also received 4 kills and 2 aces from sophomore Katy Brettman. Shannon Nugent added 3 kills, and Jasmine Tamalunas set 26 of 27 with 9 assists.

New Trier d. Libertyville: Michigan-bound Cindy Zhou had 8 kills, 10 assists and 3 blocks for the Wildcats in their 12-25, 26-24, 25-16 nonconference loss.

Libertyville (1-2) also got 4 kills from Taylor Zant and 18 digs from Butler-bound Kristen Webb. Rhiannon Prentiss added 2 kills and 2 blocks for the Wildcats.

Grant d. McHenry: Brooke Buckley slammed 10 kills on 22-of-23 hitting, and Anna Panasenko added 4 blocks, as the host Bulldogs rallied for a 17-25, 25-17, 25-23 win in a nonconference thriller.

Grant also received key contributions from Bethani Jacobsen (3 kills), Taylor Rossi (11 assists, 6 digs), Beka Couch (2 blocks), Gianna Gigliotti (10 digs), Jamie Reiser (14-of-14 serving, 2 aces) and Deanna Rodriguez (9 digs).