Holz helps Palatine to third place in Scholten Classic
Heather Holz has been a three-year starter for coach Dan Gavin's girls volleyball team at Palatine High School.
So it was fitting the senior middle blocker got to enjoy her team's best performance in the Peggy Scholten Volleyball Classic on Saturday.
The Pirates served up their top finish in Gavin's nine years coaching in the long-running 16-team event at Fremd High School.
Holz, who has one of the quickest arm swings in the Mid-Suburban League, sent 11 kills over the net and recorded 4 blocks with 2 aces as the Pirates netted third place with a 25-21, 23-25, 25-19 victory over Lake Zurich (4-3).
The Pirates (5-1) went 4-1 in the tourney, losing only to three-time defending Class 3A state champ St. Francis in the semifinals.
The modest Holz was quick to point to her setter and back-row players when asked to pinpoint the Pirates' early season success.
"We got really great passing," said the middle blocker. "And we really connected with the ball well. Sydney (Christiansen) helped us a lot by putting up great sets."
Christiansen handed out 27 assists along with 8 digs, 4 aces and a block, while leading the back row was junior Alyssa Kronberg (20 digs).
Junior outside hitter Carrie Chaplinsky made her presence felt from start to finish, putting down a match-high 14 kills with 7 digs and 1 ace.
"Carrie had some great swings," said Gavin, who also received 6 kills and a block from senior Sarah Udoni. "We are still working on being more consistent. There are things tactically on which we want to keep pushing. Overall, I was happy with our performance. I'm really proud of the girls to finish third in this tournament."
"I'm very proud of our girls, too," said Lake Zurich coach Rachel Wiatrowski, whose team (4-3) went 3-2 in the tourney. "I thought they played some really good volleyball and will learn from their mistakes," she said.
Not too far behind Palatine was crosstown rival Fremd (5-2, 3-2), which took sixth place in the Scholten.
The Vikings defeated Pius XI in three sets before falling to Maine South for fifth place.
For the tourney, Fremd was led by Ysabel Lee (27 kills), Jenny Miller (18) and Bailey Hooker (17).
Holly Straup (44 assists) and Natalie Freund (34 assists) set the Vikes' attack. Sparking the back row were Karolina Sas (38 digs), Miller (15) and Rebeca Uhrich (15).
"We are battling," said veteran Fremd coach Curt Pinkey whose team is off to a 5-2 start after going 3-2 in the Scholten. "We're getting into the 20s against everyone, and that's important."
The Vikings will travel to Elk Grove in a Mid-Suburban League crossover on Tuesday and then host Palatine in an MSL West opener on Wednesday.
"I feel like we are in a good place to begin the conference season," Pinley added. "Overall, I thought we played well in this tournament."
Rolling Meadows defeated Pius XI 25-22, 14-25, 25-10 to earn seventh place as Megan Mich finished with 11 aces in the five matches.
Mich had long service runs in Sets 2 and 3.
Maddie Sellergren (24 kills), Hannah Mickey (22 kills), Jenny Srnak (18) and Connor Paige (11 kills) were top attackers for the Mustangs while Megan King (34 assists) and Megan Mich (43 assists) ran the offense.
Sellergren led the backcourt with 30 digs followed by Paige Connor (19) and Madeline Rebsamen (10). Srnak had 15 blocks and Mickey (11).
Meadows went 3-2 in the tourney and stands at 5-3 overall.
"I think we started out a little slow in a lot of our matches," Mickey said. "But then we start playing more as a team at the end and that's how we have to play all the time. This was a really good tournament so we are proud of how we played."
Mustangs coach Joe Disilvio was proud of his team's effort.
"I told the girls to finish seventh out of 16 teams with a 3-2 record is a great accomplishment for our team," he said. "I thought we had a big team defensive effort. We really fought to take away points with our defense, and that gave us so many extra chances at points for ourselves."
Schaumburg defeated Glenbard East and Mundelein on Saturday to take ninth place as senior Abbie Rahn led the Saxons (4-3, 3-2 in tourney) with 32 kills, 32 digs and 11 aces.
Other top performers for Schaumburg were Mallory Gerber (18 kills, 21 digs, 2 blocks), Julie Spitelli (13 kills, 2 blocks) and Lexi Ross (18 kills, 8 blocks, 2 aces).
Christina Candotti (30 assists, 4 aces) and Jessica Hartzman (30 assist) set the attack along with Jordyn Harberts (10 assists).
Rachel Delanois (12 kills, 7 digs), Lauren Perri (9 kills) and Jorie Wachal (5 kills) were top attackers for the Cougars. Kristina Loznjakovic handed out 11 assists with 8 digs. Marisa Dizonno (17 digs) and Ester Cho (16 digs) paced the Cougars' back row.