Saxons turn back clock

Thirteen years ago, while most of the current Schaumburg volleyball players were spending their mornings and afternoons at day care, the Saxons were winning the Mid-Suburban South championship.

On Tuesday night, they finally won the division title again, this time the MSL West, with two matches to go.

Schaumburg defeated host Conant 26-23, 25-14 to go 8-0 in the West and clinch the division title and a spot in the MSL title match on Oct. 17.

The Saxons will host Hersey, which clinched a fifth straight berth Tuesday night at Prospect.

"I think our team respects Conant," said Schaumburg coach Jeanette Pancratz. "They're definitely a strong team."

Schaumburg (17-3) led 20-12 in the second game before a kill off of a block by Gabrielle Blackwell (7 kills) made it 21-12. The teams traded errors for a 22-13 score.

A kill down the line by Schaumburg's Maggie Kostecki (13 digs), an error and a rollover kill by Alexandria Jackson (team-high 9 kills) on match point gave the Saxons the division with Barrington and Palatine left to play.

"We definitely came in with confidence, but not too much confidence because they beat Barrington and also won the Conant tournament here last weekend," said Schaumburg setter and co-captain Drewann Pancratz (20 assists, 5 kills, 6 digs) . "We had to keep an eye on Michelle Kopecky. We had to concentrate on her not getting the ball."

"Our goal this season was to win our division and win the conference," said Blackwell, the Saxons' other co-captain. "We wanted to go out 10-0. We knew Conant was doing really well. We knew it wasn't going to come easy. We knew what we were going to do. We just had to execute it."

Heather Bolger added 7 kills for the Saxons while Moncia Sanchez had 2 and 7 digs. Teammate Gryte Satas was 10-of-10 serving.

Conant (14-11, 4-4) was led by Katherine Hozian, who was 11-for-11 with 6 kills, and Kopecky, who was 13-for-13 with 5 kills.

"Schaumburg did a very nice job slowing our offense down," said Conant coach Peggy Scholten. "I was very happy with our serve receive.

"They're a very strong team. Drewann did a great job running the offense. We learned things."

Hersey d. Prospect: Hersey couldn't forget the match two weeks ago in the Ken Carter Gymnasium when it lost in three games to Prospect.

"That was an interesting match," said Huskies senior slugger Lauren Dembkowski. "We made a lot of mental errors. I'm so glad we were able to figure them out."

The Huskies figured to be motivated for their rematch Tuesday night, and they sure were, sweeping to a decisive 25-11, 25-15 victory in Prospect's Jean Walker Fieldhouse.

Junior Ann Carroll's 8 kills led the Huskies' attack while sophomore Katie Lill chipped in 6 and Dembkowski 4.

Hersey (17-5, 7-1) clinched a tie for the East crown and a fifth straight MSL title game appearance (through the tiebreaker).

The Huskies (13-7, 7-1) lead Prospect (8-13, 5-3) and Elk Grove (13-8, 5-3) with two matches to play.

Hersey can clinch the East title outright when it hosts Elk Grove at 5 p.m. Thursday.

"We were blocking really well," said Hersey senior Grace Nowack, who added 3 kills with teammate Shelly Mueller. "And Shelly did a nice job distributing the ball to the hitters."

Mueller handed out 20 assists while also receiving an ace and collecting 4 digs.

"Everyone had been hitting so well in practice that I feel anyone can put the ball down for us if I give them the chance," Mueller said. "Our passing was a lot better this match (than first time against Prospect). I had the opportunity to get to the ball and get everyone involved in the offense."

A block by Carroll and kill by Lill gave Hersey an 11-3 lead just four servers into the match.

The visitors were never seriously threatened and wrapped it up when Becca Haraf served for 6 of the final 7 points for Hersey (18-of-19, 3 aces), including an ace.

Hersey didn't lose a step in Game 2, racing to an 8-3 lead when Carroll blocked an overpass.

Prospect pulled to within 3 but a kill by Nowack got the Huskies rolling again and they eventually extended the lead to 19-10 on a kill by Lill.

"We were so motivated to play this match," Dembkowski added. "We really wanted to show how we can play."

Prospect's play was highlighted by Tracy Hefferan (3 kills, 1 block) and Mary Kate Ward (8 digs, 11-for-12 serve receiving).

"Tracy had a pretty nice match," said Knights coach Mike Riedy of his junior right-side hitter who was 7-of-8 on attack. "And Mary Kate did a nice job with serve receive and defense.

"I'm disappointed our girls didn't play up to their potential. I was impressed by Hersey's attackers. That was a completely different team than we saw the first time. They definitely came out to win."

-- John Leusch

Meadows d. Buffalo Grove:ΠSenior middle hitter Jackie Carbery put down 6 kills while Dana Demmert and Katie Stensland each had 5 for visiting Meadows in a 25-15, 25-19 MSL East victory.

Marisa Barry handed out 10 assists and Kim Liwag 5 for the Mustangs (11-11, 4-4).

Brittany Abrahms and Lauren Angotti each had a kill for Bison (2-18-2, 0-8), whose offense was set by Jaclyn Sisi (8 assists).

Fremd d. Hoffman Estates: Danielle Warner (8 kills), Kaitlyn Pascus (5) and Bridget Morton (4) led visiting Fremd in a 25-22, 25-18 MSL West victory.

Natalie Bruck (7 assists) and Michelle Gonnella (6) directed the attack for Fremd (14-8, 5-3).

Hoffman Estates (8-18, 0-8) was paced by Altrese Hawkins (5 kills) and Asia Everitt (4) while Torrie Raio and Ali Hair each had 8 digs.

Barrington d. Palatine: Madeline Root (14 assists) and Lizzie Farr (10) directed the attack for Barrington (6-16, 5-3) in a 25-23, 25-13 MSL West triumph over visiting Palatine (5-16, 2-6) as Jackie Patmore (9 kills) and Marley Leitner (6) paced the attack.

Wheeling d. Elk Grove: The visiting Wildcats (12-14, 3-6) posted a 26-24, 25-21 MSL East victory as Bianca Szarfarowicz and Lidia Villalobos each put down 7 kills.

Lindsey Mills collected 8 blocks for kills while Villalobos had 6.

Janelle Schroeder handed out 21 assists and Carly Speidel 3 with 1 kill and 1 block. Annemarie Speizia chipped in 3 blocks and 1 kill.

"It was an awesome match for us," said Wheeling coach Rita Runyard. "We have struggled the last few matches so we needed a win. Janelle delivered great sets to all our hitters."

Elk Grove (13-8, 5-3) was led by Katie Spychala (6 kills) Anie Fitzpatrick (6) and Michelle Johnson (5) on attack.

Joliet Catholic d. St Viator: Joliet Catholic won the East Suburban Catholic Conference match 25-17, 25-5, as Cara George led the visiting Lions (6-12) with 3 kills and Daniela Presta handed out 6 assists.