Warren leaves St. Viator with a win

Warren's girls volleyball team came to Arlington Heights from Gurnee on Monday night with an impressive 15-5 record.

"It's a long trip for a Monday night," said Warren senior setter Lauren Frericks. "About a 40-minute ride. It's hard to get right off the bus and get right into it. Everyone was trying to to their best to get in the right mode."

The Blue Devils have been in a winning mode most of the season, and that didn't change at the Cahill Gymnasium.

Led on attack by senior Lindsay Bierdon (5 kills), Frericks (4), junior Jenna Walczak (3) and junior Kimberly Hengesh (3), the Blue Devils gained 4-1 leads in both sets and never trailed en route to a 25-14, 25-18 nonconference won."

"Last year was kind of the opposite - we started out slowly," said Frericks, who along with teammate Nicole Berzin handed out 8 setting assists. "We didn't have nearly as many wins at this same time last year.

"I think it's because we have four returning seniors and our younger players have adapted so quickly. We all just mesh. There is so much cohesiveness and chemistry. We all get along so well."

The Blue Devils (16-5) displayed those attributes on the floor as they never backed down when the Lions would make a run. St. Viator rallied to tie Set 2 at 6-6 and again at 10-10 and 11-11 before the visitors dashed clear for good.

Frericks' kill of a quick set by Berzin and an ace by Berzin made it 15-11 when Lions coach Charlie Curtin called for a timeout.

But the Blue Devils got another kill from Biedron to make it 16-11 and Viator never got closer than 4 points.

"We didn't come ready to play and they put it to us," said Curtin, whose team is also off to a standout start at 16-6-1 going into today's East Suburban Catholic match with Fenwick at the Cahill. "They were ready to go and we seemed like we had no energy."

Leading the way in the Lions' back row were junior Ellie Meyer (13 digs) and junior Ellie Meyer and senior Kasia Sosin (9), who was also 8-of-9 on attack with 2 kills and 3-of-3 serving.

"I felt we really didn't bring the energy we've been playing with to this match," Sosin said. "We really have to work on keeping that consistent in every match we play."

The Lions were without starting middle hitter Gabi Thomas (illness). Alyssa Forbes (6 kills) and Grace Fedus (5) were top attackers for Viator, taking their cues as usual from senior quarterback Kaitlin O'Brien (60-of-62 with 15 assists).

Warren used its block to help retain its lead during the match with sophomore Claire Lundtveit producing a match-high 4. Sophomore Natalie McNally and Hengesh each had 2 and Walczak 1.

"Claire came up big," said Warren coach Julie Filippo of the 5-foot-10 outside hitter. "For a sophomore to do that is really good. "I am very proud of the girls. They've just been playing well and improving on their weaknesses."

Pacing the back row for Warren were Walczak and Hangesh with 6 digs apiece.

"I thought Kim (Hengesh) had an awesome game in the middle," Filippo added. "We were able to get her more sets (6-of-6 attacking). "When we pass well, we can set up the offense and have fun, and they did have fun tonight."