Hersey all set with Hoffman running show

As a sophomore on the Hersey girls volleyball team, Joanna Hoffman was a back-up setter to former all-area standout Shelly Mueller.

Hoffman couldn't wait for her chance to take over the quarterback position.

Now, as a senior, that's exactly what she is doing.

And quite well.

Hoffman handed out 15 assists from 27 attempts and also tossed in 5 kills and a match-high 6 aces to help ignite the Huskies in a 25-7, 25-12 Mid-Suburban League crossover triumph over visiting Barrington on Thursday night at Ken Carter Gymnasium.

"I was really excited for this season," Hoffman said. "I couldn't wait until summer camps began so I could get a jump start on things and start connecting with my teammates. I love the way I'm connecting with them. I can count on everyone."

That was obvious with the balanced offense as Christine Solans (6 kills), Maddie Swan (5), Katie Lill (3) and Jamie Welter (2) were all go-to attackers for Hoffman, who also kept the Fillies off-balance with her attack.

"She had a great game," said Hersey coach Nancy Lill. "We have a lot of weapons and as a setter, Joanna has a lot of weapons. She can keep opponents off-balance with her swing and her variety of shots."

Hoffman served the Huskies (2-0) to a 3-0 lead in Game 1 and they never looked back., building leads of 15-4 and 20-5.

In Game 2, they grabbed an 8-3 lead and were never seriously threatened.

Junior Brooke Chandor led the Fillies (0-2) with 3 kills while Madison Lang handed out 8 assists.

"Hersey played great," said Barrington coach Chris Bronke. "When the other team doesn't make an error until midway through the second game, it's tough to win. And combine that with how we played and it's very tough to win.

"The only word I have right now is 'disappointing.' With as many kids as we have with varsity experience, you sure wouldn't know it. I'm disappointed now but I know that that will quickly be replaced by excitement when we get back into the gym (today) to work on things."

Senior libero Becca Haraf sparked the Huskies' back row with 14 digs while Lill added 9 and Hoffman 4.

Elk Grove d. Schaumburg: Stephanie Maday (4 kills) and Leah Miller (3 kills) led the attack for Elk Grove (2-0) in a 25-16, 25-19 triumph.

Olivia Roback collected 17 digs for the winners followed by Jessica Mueller (8) and Stephanie Pizzo (6). Jessica Condon handed out 15 assists.

Emily Young (5 kills, 6 digs) and Bria Hailey (4 kills) led Schaumburg (1-1).

Hoffman Estates d. Wheeling: Kelseyn Lukowicz (8 kills) and Lauren LaMasse (7 kills) led Hoffman Estates to a 25-21, 17-25, 25-19 victory. Stephanie Schwarz handed out 23 assists while Jada Stotts had 5 blocks and Michelle Kelley 2 aces for the Hawks (2-1).

Wheeling (1-1) was led on attack by Bianca Szafarowicz (12 kills) and Keslie Jurik (6).

Fremd d. Rolling Meadows: Alexandra Messner (6 kills), Tess Dinterman (5 kills) and Colleen Andersen (4) led Fremd (2-0) in a 25-19, 25-13 triumph.

Kelly Adair paced Meadows (0-2) with 3 kills while teammate Rene Pollinetz added 2.

Conant d. Prospect: With senior Marne Wiklanski handing out 15 assists and Chelsea Vanicek putting down 9 kills, Conant (1-1) captured a 25-19, 19-25, 25-19 triumph over Propsect (1-1), which was led by Rachel Hunt (9 kills), Mariel Sobey (6) and Sarah Hunt (4).

Other key hitters for Conant were Allie Bauch (4 kills), Kristin Perschon (3) and Antoinette Schiffer (3).

Palatine d. Buffalo Grove: Palatine moved to 2-0 with a 25-23, 25-20 triumph.

Buffalo Grove (0-2) was led by Alysa Feld (6 kills, 2 aces) and Stacey Jorda (4 kills). Kelly Somers had 10 assists.

Leyden d. Streamwood: Leyden (1-0) was led by Melissa Oehlering (8 digs, 6 kills) and Lindsay Carroll (3 kills, 5 digs) in a 25-21, 25-23 nonconference triumph.