Elk Grove snaps Hersey’s MSL streak
Elk Grove girls volleyball coach Stephanie Kezios had never been more proud of her players than Tuesday night.
The Grenadiers ended one of the longest winning streaks in Mid-Suburban League girls volleyball history on Tuesday when they defeated defending Mid-Suburban League champion Hersey 25-23, 22-25, 25-21 in Elk Grove.
Junior Amber Lindfors put down 9 kills and senior McKenzie Jordan added 7 as the Grens ended Hersey’s 53-match MSL East winning streak that dated back to the fall of 2007.
“Hersey is such a talented program,” Kezios said. “We are always so excited to play them. Our girls were so pumped up and everyone did her job. It was really fun.”
Senior Taylor Socha put down the match-ending kill from senior setter Kerry Souder (26 assists, 2 aces) to put the Grens (10-10, 2-1) in a four-way tie for first in the East with the Huskies, Buffalo Grove and Rolling Meadows.
“It was a great run with a lot of great Hersey teams,” said Huskies coach Nancy Lill, who has won more than 800 matches and the last 10 MSL East crowns. “I just told my team ‘Now it’s time to start a new winning streak.’ ”
Sparking the Grens’ back row were Kelly Regan (16 digs, 2 aces) and Becca Maher (15 digs) while Melissa Solorio and Lindfors each had a block.
“It really feels good because the girls have worked so hard this season,” Kezios said. “They stayed real composed in the match and they didn’t lose their composure in three tough games, which makes me real proud of them.”
Kelly Hill (11 kills), Liz Fuerst (7), Courtney Stedman (7) and Gabri Olhava (5) were top attackers for the Huskies, who now are 8-9.
Stedman (12 assists), Carly Pisano (13) and Caity Strozewski (5) set the attack for the Huskies who received 24 digs from Katie Krebs 24 and 17 from Meagn Solans.
“It was a hard-fought match,” Lill said. “Elk Grove played great defense and played very smart offensively. We made too many errors and didn’t adjust to what Elk Grove was doing.”
Hoffman Estates d. Palatine: Clare Shaffer (9 kills, 5 aces, 3 blocks) and Andrea Wolinski (4 kills) led the attack for host Hoffman (3-12, 1-2) in an 18-25, 25-22, 25-15 MSL West triumph.
Jenny Avila (10 assists) and Kaitlyn Imburgia (8 assists, 3 ace) set the attack while Sarah Wille had 3 aces and 10 digs. Renee Clemment added 3 blocks and Isabella Zach 10 digs.
Kim Butler led the Pirates (1-9, 0-3) with 7 kills and 2 blocks while Cailtyn Riedy collected 21 assists and Meg Angelaccio was 12-of-12 serving with an ace.
Rolling Meadows d. Prospect: Jenny Vliet put down 6 kills and handed out 7 assists as Rolling Meadows (8-8, 2-1) won the MSL East 25-20, 27-25 at Prospect (4-7, 1-2).
Ashley Montanez added 3 kills and Hannah Mickey 2 for meadows while Sami Kay also had 7 assists.
Grace Skorin led the back row with 8 digs. Lauren Sokolowski collected 5 digs with 3 aces.
Carly Thompson led the Knights with 5 kills and Maddie Kierupa had 4. Maggie Chuipek (7 assists) and Michelle Haaning (5) set the Knights’ attack.
Buffalo Grove d. Wheeling: The host Bison (5-6, 2-1) posted a 25-15, 25-11 victory behind the attack of Alaina Murphy (13 kills) and Sarah Rivera (7).
They took cues from setter Marie Georgoulis (14 assists, 6 digs).
Leah Masciopinto and Murphy each added 5 digs.
Sabrina Semeria had 7 digs for Wheeling (2-10, 0-3) while teammate Brittany Roman had a pair of kills.
Fremd d. Conant: Lane Hindenburg (8 kills), Maise Koo (7) and Hope Schroeder (4) were top attackers for host Fremd (9-7, 2-1) in the 25-17, 29-27 MSL West win.
Jackie Mursuli collected 12 assists and Carly Roberts had 8. Aubrey Stegich recorded 13 digs.
Marist d. St. Viator: Marist defeated the visiting Lions 25-18, 25-16 in the East Suburban Catholic Conference match.
Mary Cleary and Megan Mueller (2 aces) each had 3 kills for Viator (12-7, 0-1) while Molly Ziegler handed out 11 assists.
Sophomore Ellie Meyer led the back row with 11 assists, followed by Ziegler (9) and Kristen Abrahamson (7).
Willowbrook d. Leyden: Jamie Chiappetta had 6 kills to lead Willowbrook over host Leyden (5-6).