Winning trend continues for Hersey at Lake Park
Apparently one championship this week wasn't enough for Hersey's girls volleyball team.
Just two days after winning the Mid-Suburban League title, the Huskies came back to win the championship of the Lake Park Invite in Roselle.
The Huskies (30-5) defeated Oak Park-River Forest 25-14, 25-9 for their second title at Lake Park in three years.
The Huskies also won their own invite this season, were fourth at the Jacobs Invite and second at Maine West's Pumpkin.
"We had a great tournament and improved as a team throughout the weekend," said Hersey coach Nancy Lill, who has 864 career wins in 30 seasons. "What a wonderful way to end the regular season and to prepare for the state tournament."
Just as she did at the Pumpkin tournament, junior Liz Fuerst was the Huskies' leader on attack, collecting 48 kills, followed by Gabri Olhava (34), Caity Strozewski (17), Kelly Hill (17), Zoe Strozewski (13) and Courtney Stedman (12).
"We got Zoe (Strozewski, sophomore middle hitter who also had 12 blocks) the ball and she's becoming more of a force in the middle," Lill said.
Stedman also handed out 134 assists while libero Paige Pannazzo collected 60 digs.
Olhava had a team-high 21 blocks.
"I am very proud of what our girls have accomplished in the regular season this year," Lill added. "But we have our focus on what lies ahead in regionals.
"The kids are playing well. It's real fun to see. We're where you want to be at the start of the state tournament. We are excited, but we've got to go one match at a time."
Conant took fifth place in the invite, thanks to a 25-19, 15-16 victory over Fremd (26-8).
In the match over their MSL West rival, Conant was led on attack by Katie Lomas (8 kills) DeeDee Durr (7) and Alyssa Wachal (6) and Rachel Delanois (3). Dhara Patel led with 14 digs while Durr had 13 and Lomas 10.
Elisa Ambrose set the Cougars' attack with 20 assists.
Buffalo Grove won the round robin consolation tournament with wins over Lake Park (Navy), Harlem and Addison Trail.
ICCP Invite: Wheeling (16-19) went 3-2 to finish second at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Prep Invite in Elmhurst.
In their final tuneup for their own Class 4A regional, the Wildcats were led on attack by Timber Terrell (37 kills), Lani Greenberg (35), Deanna Kuzmanic (23), Domenica Montesin (16) and Michaela Vasey (14).
They received their cues from setter Sabrina Semeria, who collected 89 assists from 257 sets. Kuzmanic also delivered 58 sets for 16 assists.
Lyons Invite: Top contributors for the Knights (15-20, 1-4 in the tourney) were Brenda Kendziera (3 aces, 5 kills), Carolyn Sherrick (9 kills), Catherine Sherwood (12 kills, 4 blocks), Kaeli Myers (9 kills, 2 aces), Maggie Porwit (10 kills, 4.5 blocks), Mary Mazurek (8 kills), Michelle Haaning (3 aces, 8 kills, 2.5 blocks, 55 assists), Sammy Withey (4 aces, 8 kills) and Sarah Cutaia (5 aces, 51 digs).
"This was an extremely competitive tournament," said Knights coach Gabrielle Lovin. "We got our feet underneath us the second day and played well. It was a good finish for the tournament and will help with our transition to regional play starting Monday (Grayslake Central regional, vs. Grayslake North at 5:30 p.m.).