Fremd has its focus
After falling twice to Palatine this season, Fremd's girls volleyball team was intent on staying focused for the entire time in its Class 4A regional opener on the Pirates' floor.
How focused were the Vikings?
Well, at one point in Game 2, the Mid-Suburban West champs led 16-4 and didn't even have an idea they were that far in front.
"When I looked at the scoreboard, I didn't even realize we had gone ahead by that much," said senior Tess Dinterman (10-for-11, 5 kills), who played a big role in the Vikes' gaining the huge cushion. "I was like "whoa, what an nice surprise.' "
"I didn't even look at the scoreboard," added senior Colleen Andersen, who put down 7 kills on 9-of-10 hitting. "We were just finally able to take them this time. We did a really good job keeping our energy the whole match."
Fremd' next match will be for the regional title on Saturday at 2 p.m. when the No. 6 Vikings (24-11) face No. 14 Carmel (16-18).
Game was 1 was close until Fremd nudged ahead 22-18 on an ace by junior Kayla Price, who collected 25 assists.
The Mid-Suburban West co-Player of the Year added another service point on a kill by junior Alex Messner (match-high 10 kills).
Hannah Guth's blast off a set from Jenny Solberg made it 24-20 before the Vikings won Game 1 on Dinterman's block.
Rebecca Bagg (9-of-10) served for 6 straight points and Allison Grzesik (16-of-17) served five in a row as the Vikes built their commanding 16-4 lead in Game 2.
At one point, Dinterman scored 3 straight points during the run with a tip, kill and a block.
"This time we had a purpose," Dinterman said about the Vikes' first win in three tries against the No. 12 seeded Pirates. "After losing twice, we wanted to win and we even had more motivation knowing our season would be over if we didn't."
Vikings senior middle Elizabeth Dotson, always a threat at the net, also added a pair of blocks.
"We had our most competitive three days of practice all season," said Vikings coach Curt Pinley. "All week, we worked with all our coaches and everything to fruition. It was great team effort."
Palatine (14-22) was led on attack by Kaley Sierawski (4 kills, 4 digs), Allison Richter (3 kills, 1 block), Hannah Guth (2 kills, 2 aces, 4 digs) and Solberg (2 kills, 7 assists).
Jessie Wiedemann led with 11 digs while Karen Starrenburg had 6.
"It's always disappointing to go out, especially with such a great group of seniors that we had," said Pirates coach Dan Gavin. "They are being kind of hard are themselves now because they don't feel they played their best.
"Hopefully the raw emotions will disappear and they can realize what they've accomplished and how far they have come. I'm really proud of them."
Gavin credited Fremd with a top-notch effort.
"Obviously we didn't play our best but a lot of that had to do with Fremd," he said. "If they can play the kind of defense they did in this match, they can go a long way. They played with a lot of heart. I was really impressed."
Waukegan regional: Top-seeded Hersey (34-3) defeated Warren 25-22, 25-16 in the Class 4A semifinal and will face Waukegan for the Class 4A regional title Saturday at 2 p.m.
Senior Katie Lill put down 9 kills for the Mid-Suburban League champs while Maddie Swan added 5. Setter JoAnna Hoffman collected 16 assists and Becca Haraf had 10 digs.
Warren ended Buffalo Grove's season with a 25-15, 21-25, 26-14 victory in the play-in match.
In the other semifinal, host Waukegan stopped Prospect 25-10, 25-18, ending the Knights' season at 22-14.
Regina regional: St. Viator (26-9-1) won its semifinal of the Class 3A regional 25-12, 25-9 over the host Panthers as Kelly McConnell (7 kills), Emily Leazer (6) and Christina Brinkman (3) led the offense set by Carlyn Clevenger (16 assists). Clevenger had 3 aces while Mary Calov, Brinkman and Leazer each had 2.
Calov led with 6 digs and Stephanie Rountree added 5.
No. 2 seeded St. Viator will face No. 7 Johnsburg for the title Saturday 7:30 p.m.
Schaumburg regional: No. 17 Glenbard East defeated No. 17 Schaumburg 25-20, 25-22 as the Saxons received 4 kills, 11 assists 7 digs and 12-of-12 serving from Emily Young in the Class 4A regional play-in match. Jenny Dolan collected 15 digs and Alyssa Saklak had 8.
Rebecca Thompson put down 6 kills, followed by Sara Travis (5), Bri Hailey (3) and Saklak (3).
No. 8 Willowbrook topped No. 9 Elk Grove 25-21, 15-25, 30-28 in the semifinal.
The Grenadiers (20-15) were led on attack by Leah Miller (9 kills), Stephanie Maday (8), Amanda Gattone (6) and Mel Jarosz (5). Jessica Condon handed 27 assists and Olivia Roback had 31 digs and 4 aces.
Glenbard North regional: No. 6 West Chicago posted a 26-24, 25-10 win over No. 11 Hoffman Estates, which was led by Lauren LaMasse (6 kills), Jada Stotts (4 kills, 3 blocks) and Vanessa Daugherty (1 ace) in the Class 4A play-in match.
No. 20 Glenbard North stoped No. 14 Conant 28-26, 25-21 in the semifinal. The Cougars (15-20) were led on attack by Chelsea Vanicek, Kristin Perschon and Antoinette Schiffer, while all had 5 kills. Marne Wiklanski handed out 11 assists.
Niles North regional: No. 7 Niles North defeated No. 10. Maine West 25-14, 25-17 in the Clas 4A semifinal.
Maine West (7-29) was led by Angie Topolewicz (3 kills, 2 service aces, 4 service points), Colleen Finnander (2 kills, 2 service points), Katie Fitzgerald (2 solo blocks, 3 service points), Stephanie Chalko (1 kill, 1 service ace, 4 service points), Lauren Knipp (1 kill, 2 service points), Jessica Ley (1 kill, 2 service points) and Caitlin Walsh (3 solo blocks).
Lake Zurich regional: No. 15 Wheeling struggled early in its Class 4A 25-23, 25-12 play-in victory over No. 18 Round Lake.
A little more than an hour later it was Lake Zurich that began a match sluggishly.
Wheeling gave No. 2-seeded Lake Zurich a scare early, but the Bears still emerged with a 25-22, 25-8 victory.
"We passed the ball which gave us offensive opportunities," Wildcats coach Jason Kopkowski said. "One skill determines a lot."
Wheeling cut Lake Zurich's lead in the first game to 23-22 on a kill by sophomore middle blocker Kellie Kuzmanic before the Bears pulled it out.