Sommers helps set up BG sweep over Rolling Meadows

It's called a dump shot, and on Thursday night, it was Buffalo Grove setter Kelly Sommers' best weapon against visiting Rolling Meadows.

"I used to be a hitter, and I used to not be able to get to the ball, so that (the dump shot) was always an option for me," Sommers said. "And when I set it, I'm good at aiming."

The dump shot looks like a setter is going to pass the ball to a hitter for a kill attempt, but instead lofts the ball over the net and toward the defense. When executed correctly, the ball lands in a gap between the front and back line of players.

"When I see the (opposing team's) middle (blocker) right across from my middle (blocker), I just automatically dump it, because she is not even looking at me, she's looking at the middle (blocker)," Sommers said.

Sommers used the shot at key moments, namely with the Bison clinging to a 22-21 lead in the second game, to swing the momentum back in Buffalo Grove's favor in 25-23, 25-21 Bison sweep.

"She makes it very deceptive," BG coach Marianne Mendoza said of Sommers' shot. "It's a good offensive tool to have."

Buffalo Grove (2-12-2, 1-3) had a 13-4 lead in the first game and a 11-7 lead in the second game only to see Rolling Meadows (3-9, 1-3) come back to tie or take the lead late. But the Bison were able to execute at the end of each game to secure the sweep.

"We seem to lose focus in the middle of matches," Mendoza said.

Mendoza said she has been working with her team in practice to have good first attacks and maintain focus through the rough spots.

"They did that tonight," Mendoza said. "They were able to pull themselves back together and focus on what the plan was for the match. It was a good thing."

Rolling Meadows coach Janet Opels said that her team played too tentatively and too passively against Buffalo Grove.

"We played afraid to make a mistake and when we play like that, we make more," Opels said. "They go from one extreme to the other."

Opels said that communication errors cost the Mustangs too often Thursday night.

"It's all these little things," Opels said. "There's stuff that is easily correctable. We just keep working at it."

Joanna Strezelec led the Mustangs with 6 kills and Dana Demmert had 5 more, while Libby Marsh and Katie Stensland each had 7 assists.

Jacki Sisi (6 kills), Jill Kazmierczak (4) and Katie Quill (4) led the Bison attack while Sommers handed out 12 assists and Sam McCormack 7

Hersey d. Prospect: Hersey ran its record to 10-2 and 4-0 in the MSL East with a 25-13, 25-13 victory. The Huskies' blocking helped pave the way as Jamie Welter had 4, followed by Anne Carroll (2) and Shelly Mueller (2). McKenzie Forbes had 6 digs for the Huskies while Katie Lill and Carroll led with 5 kills apiece.

Prospect (3-3, 2-2) was led on attack by Lindsey Pickle (4 kills) and Tracy Hefferan (2).

Elk Grove d Wheeling: Elk Grove (9-3, 4-0) remained tied for first in the MSL East as Krystina Leazer (5 kills), Christine Miller (4), Jessica Condon (4) and Katie Loos (4) led the Grenadiers' attack in a 25-15, 25-16 triumph.

Bianca Szafarowicz had 4 kills to pace Wheeling (2-10, 0-4).

Conant d. Schaumburg: Katherine Hozian (8 kills), Mandy Larsen (5) and Chelsea Vanicek (20 led the Conant attack in a 25-11, 25-16 victory.

Tricia Kutramanes handed out 14 assists for the Cougars (9-2, 4-0), who are tied for first with Fremd win the MSL West.

Sarah McGinn had 7 kills for Schaumburg (2-9, 1-3)

Fremd d. Hoffman Estates: Katlyn Pascus (7 kills