Round-up: Wheeling outlasts Meadows
A couple of softball players worked hard to help Wheeling's girls volleyball team get an extra-inning victory Tuesday at Rolling Meadows.
Outfielder Annemarie Spiezia tooled back-to-back kills to give the Wildcats a 26-25 lead, then pitcher Carly Speidel drilled an ace for the match-winner in a 24-26, 25-20, 27-25 victory.
"I was just concentrating on getting it in play because the score was close," said Speidel about her match-winning strike.
"This was great," added Spiezia (9 kills), who underwent ACL surgery only seven months ago -- forcing her to miss her junior year of softball. "We knew it would be tough with Meadows (6-7, 3-2) being in a first-place tie (in the Mid-Suburban East)."
The Mustangs are now tied for second with Prospect (3-2) behind Hersey (4-1).
Wheeling (8-11, 2-3) received 8 kills from senior Lily Villalobos and 6 apiece from Speidel, Lindsey Mills (4 blocks) and Bianca Szafarowicz.
"It feels good to win," said Wildcats coach Rita Runyard. "All season, these girls knew they were capable of playing well. That was evident this match as they battled to the bitter end."
Meadows was paced on attack by Jackie Carbery (14 kills), Dana Demmert (7) and Jenna Milas (5).
"We did not play to the level we have been," said Mustangs coach Janet Opels. "And Wheeling took advantage of our play."
Hersey d. Buffalo Grove: The Huskies (13-5, 4-1) took over sole possession of first place in the MSL East with a 25-18, 25-8 victory over visiting Buffalo Grove.
Lauren Dembkowski (7 kills), McKenzie Forbes (6) and Katie Lill (4) led the Huskies' offense.
The Bison (2-13, 0-5) were led on attack by Emily Nowicki (4 kills) and Lauren Angotti (3).
Fremd d. Barrington: Fremd, which ended Barrington's 65-match winning streak in the MSL West last fall, stopped the host Fillies again with a 13-25, 25-16, 26-24 victory.
Bridget Morton (6 kills) and Stephanie Alesi (5) led the attack for Fremd (10-8, 3-2), while Michelle Gonnella (13 assists) and Natalie Bruck (9) handled the setting.
Jackie Patmore (9 kills) and Kelly Pickering (6) led the offense for Barrington (4-14, 3-2).
Conant d. Hoffman Estates: Michelle Kopecky put down 10 kills, and Katherine Hozian added 4 for host Conant (9-9, 3-2) in a 25-15, 25-12 MSL West triumph.
Tricia Kutramanes handed out 12 assists for the Cougars. Hoffman (5-13, 0-5) was led by Altrese Hawkins (4 kills) and Missy Douglas (4).
Schaumburg d. Palatine: Host Schaumburg (14-3) finished first-half play in the MSL West at 5-0 as Gryte Satas (6 kills), Gabrielle Blackwell (5) and Alexandria Jackson (4) led the attack in a 25-10, 25-21 victory over Palatine (1-13, 1-4) .
Monica Sanchez (9 assists) and Drewann Pancratz (5) set the offense for the winners.
Elk Grove d. Prospect: Host Elk Grove improved to 11-7 and 3-2 with a 25-14, 25-18 triumph in the MSL East.
The Knights (4-9, 3-2) were led by Tracy Hefferan (3 kills) and Jackie Canonaco (12 assists).
Girls cross country
The Mid-Suburban League West girls cross country dual meet between Barrington and Hoffman Estates offered an interesting matchup.
The defending MSL champions and state runner-up Fillies knew they would have their hand full with an up-and-coming Hawks team that was coming off an impressive victory at the Libertyville Invitational.
But after being pressed the first two miles, Barrington answered the challenge -- using a strong final mile to post a 23-34 victory on senior day at Beese Park.
Junior Rebecca Tracy led the Fillies' charge by taking first with a time of 18:27, as she outlasted Hoffman sophomore Hannah Worman (18:32).
"We wanted to go out and know where they (Hoffman) were and keep ourselves together too," said Tracy of the Fillies' strategy.
Fillies seniors Molly Glantz (18:55) and Sam Learch (19:06) finished 3-4, while freshman Colleen Shandley (19:18) and sophomore Melissa Brindise (19:24) secured the victory by taking seventh and eighth places.
"Part of it was home- course advantage," said coach Debbie Revolta of the Fillies' final surge. "They kind of know where to go and how much they have left, but I'm really impressed with Hoffman. They're turning some heads."
Hawks seniors Sarah Ahn (19:12) and Andrea Contreras (19:17) took sixth and seventh places. Senior Amy Schwent (19:37) and senior Sonia Khan (19:42) completed Hoffman's scoring by finishing 10th and 11th.
"We were on the move but we just got a bit fatigued," said Hoffman coach Kirk Macnider. "That was a team that was second in state last year and we were able to hang with them. We'll bounce back."
-- Michael Eaken