Schaumburg back in sectional picture

For the first time since 2007, Schaumburg's girls volleyball team is back in the sectionals of the Class 4A state tournament.

The Saxons won their 15th regional last Thursday night over Niles West, which was the tourney host.

No. 2-seeded Schaumburg (24-13) finds itself in a similar situation today.

Maine East is the sectional host and the No. 3-seeded Blue Demons are Schaumburg's opponent in the second semifinal on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

Top-seeded Loyola faces No. 4 Evanston in the first semifinal at 5:30 p.m.

Mid-Suburban West player of the year and Oyinkan Akinola, a Fairfield University recruit, leads the Saxons' attack.

All-conference libero Hannah Moore and all-conference setter/outside hitter Jada Blackwell each had 8 digs in the 25-17, 25-20 victory over Niles West which gave Pancratz her 10th regional crown at Schaumburg since 1989.

Coincidentally, Pancratz' daughter Drewann and Saxons senior Jada Blackwell's sister Gabby were standouts on the 2007 regional championship team.

Morgan Sterrett put down 6 kills to lead Schaumburg past Niles West. Teammate Mallory Gerber added 3 for the Saxons who won the Mid-Suburban West title this season for the second time in five years.

Also part of the Saxons' attack were Jessica Hartzman (4 aces), Katherine Coombs (2), Lexi Ross (2) and Jada Blackwell (1).

Blackwell also had 9 assists.

Lauren LaVigne, Gerber and Hartzman each had 6 digs.

Ross led with 2 blocks followed by Coombs and Gerber with 1 apiece.

Pancratz, who guided the Saxons to sectional crowns in 1990, 1992 and 1994, has 578 wins at Schaumburg and a total of 786 including her years as the head coach at Resurrection before arriving at Schaumburg.

Maine East coach Anne Bezek guided her team to a 25-20, 25-18 victory over Maine South to win the Elk Grove regional.

Blue Demons senior Hanna Farley put down 10 kills while Maggie Chwieralski had 6 digs and 3 aces.

Bezek, in her second season, has helped turn the program around.

The Blue Demons won the Pifer Invite at Prospect for the second straight year, going 4-1 after a 5-0 run in 2013.

Just three years ago, the Blue Demons went 0-5 in the event.

Bezek was also East's coach from 2000 to 2004, the year when the Blue Demons went 23-11 and won a regional crown.