Rolling Meadows gaining momentum
Three weeks ago, the Rolling Meadow girls volleyball team was 12-12.
But the Mustangs have been kicking their heels ever since.
They won for the ninth time in their last 10 matches on Monday night, defeating Deerfield in the play-in match of their own Class AA regional.
The No. 12 Mustangs (21-13) topped No. 21 Deerfield 25-21, 25-20 to advance to today’s 7 p.m. semifinal against No. 5 Glenbrook North.
“We’ve definitely stepped up from the beginning of the season,” said Meadows junior setter Jenny Vliet, who came up with 6 kills and 11 assists. “We’ve improved our serve receive and overall team play. This win definitely fuel us for (today).”
Also fueling the Mustangs’ attack on Monday were Morgan Keller (6 kills, 3 blocks), Rachel Mickey (4 kills, 1 block), and Sokolowski (2 kills).
Sami Kay was credited with 9 assists while Amy Wenzel (8 digs), Mia Harper (7), Grace Skorin (5) and Mickey (5) anchored the back row.
“I thought our setters did a nice job with the decision making,” said Mustangs coach Joe DiSilvio. “As we were running the plays, I was thinking ‘the set should go there’ — and it did.”
Deerfield bowed out at 10-25.
In the first play-in match at Meadows, No. 21 Highland park topped No. 13 Conant 25-20, 22-25, 25-20.
The Cougars (14-22) were led by Jenn Donnell (14 kills), Taylor Levitt (23 digs), Suzi Loznjakovic (4 aces, 18 assists), DeDee Durr (5 kills), Sarah Manczko (7 kills) and Daniele Sortino (5 kills).
Schaumburg regional: No. 14 Elk Grove defeated No. 19 Fenton 25-16, 25-19 to advance to day’s Class AA semifinal against No. 3 St. Charles East at 6 p.m. today
Diamond Boyd (12 kills, 13 digs, 2 ace), Taylor Socha (14-of-14 serving, 2 aces), Bridget Chaput (5 kills), Becca Siwicki (4 kills), Kelsey Conley (13 digs), Christine Juhas (18 assists) and Kerry Souder (7 assists) helped paved the way for the Grens.
Lake Zurich regional: No. 14 Mundelein defeated No. 19 Hoffman Estates 25-18, 25-7 as the Hawks (7-28) were led by Sarah Willie, Becca Stoczynski and Destinee Young, who each had 2 kills.
Lake Forest regional: No. 18Lake Forest stopped No. 16 St. Viator 25-20, 25-18 in the Class AA play-in match.
Molly Ziegler (4 kills), Sara Lopez (4 kills) and Mary Cleary (3) led the Lions’ attack.