Derr serves up a winner for Barrington

When the game is on the line, Barrington coach Chris Bronke knows who he likes on the service line.

Please line up Meredith Derr for the task.

"Coach told me that would be my job," said Derr, a senior who enters a match strictly to serve for the Fillies. "That's my job, so I do it."

The 5-foot-6 defensive specialist did it well Thursday night.

With her team nursing a 17-16 lead in Game 3, Derr served 4 straight points including 2 huge aces as the Fillies went on to a 25-19, 20-25, 25- 21 victory over visiting Conant in the Mid-Suburban West.

"I'm so proud of her," said classmate Jackie Patmore, who took an over-the-back set from Madeline Root to put down the match-ending kill and her 11th. "That (serving) is Meredith's forte. She has the skills for it and really does a great job."

"She's like our field goal kicker," Bronke said. "Meredith comes in and gets us the aces."

Derr had 3 for the match while Katie Goldrath added 3 aces and a team-high 19 digs.

Paige Czarnecki also sparked the defense for Barrington (3-6, 2-0) with 16 digs. Teammate Kelly Pickering had 15 along with 5 kills.

Kit Leitner (6 kills) and Marley Leitner (4) also helped trigger the Fillies' attack, which was set by Lizzie Farr (14 assist) and Root (11).

"Jackie had a monster of a match," Bronke said. "She was a real attacker in Game 3.

"As a coach I can look at this match two ways," Bronke added. "No. 1, we fought hard when we were tired and found a way to win. Or No. 2, we really didn't come close to what we had established as our best volleyball.

"We'll go to the film room and figure on which way we want to spin it."

Senior Michelle Kopecky spun bullets down for Conant's attack.

While the Barrington Stampede, a food charity drive, was in action outside the gym, Kopecky was driving 9 kills inside.

The West Virginia-bound slugger had a big one in Game 2 for a sideout and 21-19 lead.

"She's a beast," Bronke said. "Hats of to her and Peggy (Scholten, Conant coach) for finding ways for her to put the ball down. Thank God, she didn't have more touches."

Katherine Hozian added 4 kills for Conant (5-4, 1-1) and Mandy Larsen 3. Junior quarterback Tricia Kutramanes handed out 14 assists.

"Serve receive and serve were our nemesis," Scholten said. "We know in a tight match like this, we have to be able to do those things.

"We're improving every day. We know our weaknesses and will continue to work on them."