Girls volleyball: Schaumburg Christian wins first sectional

It's only the second year that Schaumburg Christian School has participated in the IHSA Class 1A girls volleyball state tournament.

But the Lady Conquerors have sure made themselves right at home.

They defeated Faith Lutheran of Crystal Lake 25-23, 25-13 for their first sectional title on Thursday at Westminster Christian in Elgin. Schaumburg Christian will meet Lanark Eastland at 3 p.m. Saturday in the Christian Liberty supersectional in Arlington Heights.

Senior Bailey Cummings led the Conquerors with 18 kills while setter Jordan Lempa recorded 17 assists.

Junior Veronica Woods served the Conquerors to a 4-1 lead in Set 1. Schaumburg Christian took a 9-4 lead on 3 kills by Cummings and a well-timed dink by sophomore Caitlyn Benson. Schaumburg Christian led 19-15 after three more kills by Cummings and two from Courtney Benson.

Faith Lutheran went ahead 21-19 when Schaumburg Christian coach Alice Cummings called for a timeout.

"We just needed to settle down, forget about the missed serves and the net errors, relax and have fun," Cummings said.

Lempa eventually set up Cummings for her eighth kill to give the Conquerors the first set.

In the second set, Cummings made some adjustments at the net and sophomore Morgan Hoffman had 4 blocks.

Schaumburg Christian was led in the Set 2 by Nikki Toth's 4 digs while Caitlyn Benson and Lempa each served 2 aces.

"We have great respect for Lanark (Eastland, the 2015 1A champion)," Cummings said of Saturday's opponent. "We are looking forward to the challenge."