Hersey, Carroll have floor plan
Every ball Hersey touched Thursday seemed to find the floor.
Every ball Rolling Meadows touched seemed to find Hersey's Ann Carroll, who then found the floor.
In a career game for the junior middle hitter, Carroll blocked 14 shots, 7 of which landed for kills, as she led the Huskies to a 25-8, 25-16 win over the Mustangs in the Mid-Suburban East matchup at Rolling Meadows.
"I don't know," said Carroll explaining her performance. "Everything seemed to click."
It's been that way lately for Carroll.
After a slow start to the season while recovering from a stress fracture in her left ankle, Carroll's game has continually progressed throughout the season.
Right now, it appears to be peaking.
"She's really coming on strong," said Hersey coach Nancy Lill. "It's fun to see. Her blocking was outstanding. Ann just played out of her head."
The rest of the Huskies (7-3, 2-0) weren't far behind.
Setter Shelly Mueller (18 assists) was connecting inside and out with hitters throughout the match and had Meadows off balance.
Lauren Dembkowski, Katie Lill, Annie Schey, McKenzie Forbes, Grace Nowack and Carroll all contributed with kills.
Hersey's serving was just as strong, as Becca Haraf and Mueller combined for 26 points and 4 aces.
Defensively, Mueller and Dembkowski gave Carroll some help around the net.
But it was Carroll's day.
Lill believed Carroll's 7 block kills was a school record, but needed to double check.
For Carroll, the highlight was putting together a series of blocks against Meadows during several spans.
"It's the biggest rush when you get a couple blocks in a row," said Carroll, who is 5-feet-9. "It's the greatest feeling."
Meadows (4-5, 1-1) wasn't feeling so great about its play.
The Mustangs fell behind early in the first game and never could fight back. The second game went a little better, but still not to coach Janet Opels' liking.
"That's Murphy Law -- anything that can go wrong will go wrong," Opels said. "That sums it up. I thought we were ready to play. The girls thought they were ready to play.
"Basically, there was no phase of the game that was working. We'll use it as a learning experience and move on."
Prospect d. Wheeling: Host Prospect (2-2, 2-0) won the MSL East match 25-22, 23-25, 25-19 as sophomore Rachel Hunt (10 kills), junior Megan Murray (8) and senior Hillary Trebels (7) led its attack.
Jackie Canonaco handed 34 assists while Kathleen Hudson (23 digs), Lindsey Valentino (20) and Hunt (15) were top diggers.
Carly Speidel, Lindsey Mills and Nicole Schroeder each had 7 kills for the Wildcats (4-5, 0-2) while Janelle Schroeder served 3 aces.
Schaumburg d. Hoffman:ΠVisiting Schaumburg improved to 6-2 and 2-0 in the MSL West with a 25-14, 25-21 triumph as Gabrielle Blackwell (7 kills), Drewann Pancratz (4), Heather Bolger (4) and Gryte Satas (4) led the attack set by Pancratz (15 assists, 12 digs).
Elk Grove d. Buffalo Grove: Krystina Leazer (8 kills), Ashley Capotosto (6), Anie Fitzpatick (6) and Michelle Johnson (4) led host Elk Grove (4-5, 1-1) in a 25-21, 23-25, 25-22 MSL East victory.
Kelsey Prochenski and Amy Tranchita each handed out 13 assists for the Grens while Katie Spychala collected 18 digs.
Fremd d. Palatine: Senior Danielle Warner had 3 kills and Michelle Gonnella handed out 6 assists as visiting Fremd (5-3, 1-1) recorded a 25-13, 25-12 triumph in the cross-town MSL West match.
Fremd senior Bridget Morton recorded 4 blocks while Colleen Andersen had 3 and Kaitlyn Pascus 2.
Stephanie Alesi and Gonnella each served 2 aces.
Palatine (0-9, 0-2) was led by Kate Kleiva (3 kills) and Kaitlyn Hofelt (3 digs) and Jenny Solberg added 2 aces.
Maine West d Niles West: Senior Sarah Dister put down 10 kills while Maria Rozo (4 kills, 4, 10 points, 4 aces) and Mary Kusner (3 kills, 7 blocks) also helped lead the host Warriors (3-5) to a 21-25 25-20, 28-26 victory in the Central Suburban Central crossover.
"Sarah had an outstanding night," said Maine West coach Randy Tiller. "I've really been pleased with how she has been playing. For the past week, she has been the player who finds a way to get the ball over, around and through the block for points.
"Mary Kusner and Maria Rozo have been consistent. Michelle Obillo and Liz Freeman (setters) ran a great offense and Samantha Czekaj and Emily Ott passed like pros."