Schaumburg "Drews" up a winner over Fremd
Every Mid-Suburban League girls volleyball team knows it.
But just in case Fremd forgot, the Schaumburg cheering section at Tuesday's MSL West showdown reminded the Vikings with its "We got Drew" chants throughout the night.
"Is that what they were saying?" coach Jeanette Pancratz asked.
It made sense that they were.
Senior setter deluxe Drewann Pancratz deserved the praise while guiding the Saxons (5-2, 1-0) past Fremd 25-16, 24-26, 25-20.
Just don't tell Drewann that she deserved it.
"(Gabrielle Blackwell and Alexandria Jackson) are our go-to hitters," she said. "They make me look better."
Of course, it didn't hurt that Pancratz's unorthodox style kept the Vikings off balance most of the evening.
The defense simply didn't know if she was going to set one of her hitters or tap the ball over the net into an empty area.
"Sometimes I send it over just to keep them honest. If they stay honest on defense then it gives our hitters a better chance to pound it," Drewann Pancratz said.
That's exactly what Jackson and Blackwell did, taking full advantage of Pancratz's ability to keep the defense on its toes.
"I told the girls after Game 1, Drewann is killing us. She was half their offense," Fremd assistant coach Nick Vassos said.
Game 2 was a different story. Fremd (4-3, 0-1) jumped to a 20-9 lead using solid serving from Patricia Fehr and Stephanie Alesia.
Big hitter Danielle Warner also stepped up during the run, pounding spikes into the Schaumburg defense.
"Our setters are wonderful. As long as our passing is going good and our setters are doing well then it's easy for me," Warner said.
And then Schaumburg made it a little more difficult.
"Our defense was the big key to us," Jeanette Pancratz said. "Our front-court defense and back court defense I thought was really our salvation."
Jackson, Blackwell and Gryte Satas blocked numerous kill attempts as Schaumburg eventually tied the game at 23-23. Meanwhile, the back-court defense led by Aleks Kostka and Monica Sanchez had a handful of digs in the run.
The Saxons ultimately lost the game 26-24, but the momentum from that run propelled them in the final game.
"We proved that we never give up," Drewann Pancratz said. "We talked in the huddle about coming back and if we're not going to win then we'll still be sending a message for the last game."
The Saxons sent another message to the rest of the MSL.
They've got Drew.
Meadows d. Elk Grove: Dana Demmert (4 kills), Jenna Milas (3) and Jackie Carbery (3) were attack leaders for host Rolling Meadows (4-4, 1-0) in a 25-20, 25-18 MSL East victory.
Lindsey Berg led Meadows with 15 digs and setters Marisa Barry (5) and Kim Liwag (3) handed out the assists.
Elk Grove (3-5, 0-1) was paced on attack by Anie Fitzpatrick (4), Ashley Capotosto (3), Krystina Leazer (2) and Katie Spychala (2). Kelsey Prochenski (9 assists) and Amy Tranchita (5) set for the Grenadiers.
Prospect d. Buffalo Grove: Megan Murray (7 kills) and Rachel Hunt (4) led the visiting Knights (1-2, 1-0) to a 28-26, 25-16 victory in the MSL East opener.
Jackie Canonaco handed out 14 assists and served a pair of aces. Kathleen Hudson had 3 aces and 9 digs.
Hillary Trebels, Tracy Hefferan and Murray each had 2 blocks.
The Bison (0-1) were led on attack by Lauren Angotti (5 kills), Sarah Hampton (4) and Lauren Mitchell (3). Alyssa Falk had 7 assists and Jillian Kazmierczak 4.
Barrington d. Hoffman: Defending MSL champion Barrington (2-6, 1-0) kicked off West play with a 25-16, 25-21 victory as Marley Leitner (6 kills) and Kit Leitner (5) led the attack.
Lizzie Farr (12 assists) and Madeline Root (10) handled setting chores while Kelly Pickering (15) and Katie Gold rath (14) were top diggers.
Jackie Patmore and Kristin Soderman each had 3 blocks while Goldrath was 11-of-11 serving with 2 aces.
Visiting Hoffman (3-6, 0-1) was led by Altrese Hawkins and Ashley Chervinko (3 kills each) while Becky Gilbert and Hawkins each had 8 digs.
Setting was handled by Stephanie Schwarz (5 assists) and Gilbert (4).
Conant d. Palatine: Junior Katherine Hozian put down 5 kills and was 5-of-5 serving for host Conant (5-3, 1-0), which posted a 25-16, 25-18 MSL West win over Palatine.
West Virginia-bound Michelle Kopecky added 4 kills for the Cougars and Mandy Larsen added 3.
Tricia Kutramanes handed out 13 assists while Monica Danek was 9-of-11 serving.
The Pirates (0-8, 0-1) were led on attack by Amalia Desardi (4 kills) while Nikki Linares had 11 digs and Kate Kleiva 10. Caitlyn Carpenter handed out 39 assists and Jenny Solberg 14.
St. Viator d. Trinity: Kristin Guth (8 kills), Maggie Finnegan (3) and Cara George (3) led host St. Viator in a 25-21, 25-21 nonconference victory.
Daniela Presta handed out 11 assists while Jacki Stanley (18) and Katherine Julius (10) were tops in digging for the Lions.
Maine South d. Maine West: Host Maine South won the Central Suburban League crossover 25-6, 25-20. Maria Rozo's 2 kills led Maine West (2-5).