Hersey's a hit as Lill inches closer to win No. 700
Hersey's girls volleyball players were not born when their coach Nancy Lill won the first match of her high school coaching career in 1983.
But they will be a part of a very special win in the near future.
The Huskies' 25-14, 25-19 victory over visiting Elk Grove (12-7, 4-2) on Thursday night at the Ken Carter Gymnasium not only gave Hersey (18-1, 6-0) firm control of first place in the Mid-Suburban East, but it also brought Lill to within 1 victory of 700 for her career.
Only eight other coaches in Illinois history have reached that milestone.
"Oh my God," said her daughter Katie, a senior who put down match-high 8 kills Thursday. "I always wanted her to get that (No. 700) while I was here."
The Huskies will try for it at Buffalo Grove on Tuesday.
After cruising to victory in Game 1, Elk Grove did its best to try prolong victory Lill's 699th triumph to three games.
Five straight service points by Jessica Mueller, including 2 aces, gave the Grens a 12-10 lead. Hersey battled back behind senior Joanna Hoffman's 4 service points to take a 15-12 lead.
The Grens weren't done, however, as Amanda Gattone reeled off 5 more points, including a kill by Stephanie Maday, to take a 17-15 lead.
But the defending MSL champs took the lead for good at 18-17 on a tip by senior Maddie Swan and ended the match moments later on a service point by Jenni Mueller.
"She's (Nancy Lill) a great coach," Swan said. "She motivates us every practice and tells us every match we play, no matter who it is, it's our biggest. And she's never negative. She's positive with everything we do."
"She just knows how to teach things where we can easily understand her," added Hoffman, who collected 18 assists and 3 kills, one on a nice set from Jamie Welter ((3 kills). "She is not OK with us slacking off in practice. She stresses to us that if we don't practice well, we won't play well in matches."
Lill has enjoyed every minute of her 26-year career, which started with a four-year stint at Wheeling.
"It never gets old," she said. "I get excited for every season. It's a blast. It's not about me. It's just all the athletes I've had. I've been blessed with great kids and great coaches. I could not have asked for a better scenario."
Christina Solans added 6 kills for the Huskies while Becca Haraf once again triggered the defense with 15 digs.
Top attackers for the Grens were Gattone (4 kills), Jessica Condon (3) and Maday (3) while Condon ran the offense with 9 assists. Olivia Roback contributed 13 digs.
"Hersey is good team," said Grens coach Joe Di Silvio. "They are solid in every position and it's tough to stay with a team like that which limits its errors for the most part.
"We talked about the moments when we played well in Game 2 and said that's what we have to keep doing."
Fremd d. Conant: Fremd, which received 6 kills from Elizabeth Dotson, improved to 5-1 in the MSL West with a 25-12, 25-20 triumph.
Colleen Andersen added 4 and Alex Messner 3 for the Vikings (14-5). Kayla Price handed out 20 assists and was 12-of-12 serving with 2 aces.
Conant (5-8, 1-5) was paced on attack by seniors Kristin Perschon (4 kills, 2 blocks) and Antoinette Schiffer (4 kills). Schiffer also had 9 digs followed by freshman Taylor Levitt (8), junior Chelsea Vanicek (6) and sophomore Allie Bauch (6).
Buffalo Grove d. Wheeling: Buffalo Grove (5-14, 1-5) picked up its first MSL East win with a 25-15, 25-16 triumph. The Bison were led on attack by Alyssa Feld (5 kills), Stacey Jorda (5), Bailey North (3) and Paige Smith (3). Morgan Angotti handed out 20 assists and Kelly Kowal had 16.
Prospect d. Rolling Meadows: Led by Rachel Hunt (11 kills), Sarah Hunt (9) and Mariel Sobey (4), Prospect (8-5, 4-2) topped Rolling Meadows 25-15, 25-20 in the MSL East. Danielle Siwick (14 assists) and Abby Homuth (10 assists) set the offense while Mauren O'Keefe had 10 digs and Sobey 4 aces.
Meadows (3-11, 2-4) received 5 kills from Jackie Rosinski and 4 from Samantha Rosinski while Alyssa Arwady handed out 11 assists and Danielle Lekas served an ace.
Hoffman Estates d. Palatine: Hoffman improved to 11-8 and 4-2 in the MSL West with an 18-25, 25-16, 25-21 triumph. Hawks senior setter Stephanie Schwarz has committed to Eastern New Mexico State University.
Palatine (5-8, 3-3) was led by Rachael Houp and Hannah Guth with 6 kills apiece while Jenny Solberg (16 assists) and Laura Kluk (8) set the offense.
Barrington d. Schaumburg: Barrington (8-10, 3-3) won its eighth match in its last 11 with a 25-23, 22-25, 25-17 victory as Emily Harris connected for 10 kills and 4 block.
"Emily kind of took over the team and put on us on her shoulders," said Barrington coach Chris Bronke, whose club faces first-place Fremd (5-1) next Wednesday. "We are fighting back as a team after a slow start which is kind of nice."
Annabel Perry added 7 kills for the Fillies while teammate Brooke Chandor had 6. Madison Lang handed out 21 assists.
Tanja Mookerji once again sparked the defense with her 23 digs.
Schaumburg (6-12, 2-4) was led by Marni Gonnering (6 kills, 5 assists) and Emily Young (4 kills, 7 assists).
Marist d St. Viator: Marist posted a 25-16, 25-19 triumph over the Lions, who were led on attack by Emily Leazer and Christina Brinkman with 6 kill apiece.
Leazer, Stephanie Rountree, Mary Calov and Carlyn Clevenger each had an ace for the Lions (14-3, 3-1), who lost for the first time in East Suburban Catholic Conference.