Wheeling comes back to down Prospect

So after losing the first game to visiting Prospect 25-21, what was the motivation for Wheeling's girls volleyball team in the next two games?

"We wanted to come out of the first round of conference play at 4-1, not 3-2," said Wildcats 5-foot-8 senior outside hitter Kayla Jordan. "I think the determination of this team is unprecedented. We are going to bounce back no matter what the situation. That really puts us at advantage."

Sure enough, the Wildcats got the early advantage in the next two games and came away with a 21-25, 25-23, 25-16 victory in the Mid-Suburban East match between second-place teams.

Wheeling (9-3, 4-1) remained one match behind Hersey (15-3, 5-0) in the MSL East. Prospect (6-6), 3-2) is now in third place.

The Wildcats really got the early advantage in Game 3 when Annette Gorzelany served them to an 8-0 lead, with aces coming on the 2nd and 8th points.

"She (Gorzelany) just gave us a really good start in that game," Jordan said. "When she was making them have trouble on serve receive, that gave us a better chance to score points on offense."

Junior Kellie Kuzmanic and senior Sarah Hennessy each scored 11 points for Wheeling with kills, while Jordan added 8 and sophomore Sydney Keith 5.

"Even if Kayla's numbers aren't unbelievable material, its her leadership and personal determination that you can't put a value on," said Wheeling coach Jason Kopkowski. "That's one of those intangibles you wouldn't trade for anything."

Wildcats senior setter Stephanie Fuchs traded hitters masterfully, looking left and right all night to finish with 32 assists from 70 sets.

"Stephanie played an awesome match," Jordan said. "She gets the sets up there so nice that it makes it so easy to put them down. And she is really nice teammate, too."

Prospect led 22-21 in Game 2 when Kuzmanic's kill tied it at 22. Back-to-back kills by Jordan gave Wheeling a 24-22 lead and the Wildcats eventually won 25-23 on a hitting error by Prospect.

"The bottom line is that Wheeling played with a ton of heart," said Prospect coach Mike Riedy. "They came to win in and executed their game plan. We stood there and let it happen."

Senior middle hitter Sarah Hunt led the Knights with a match-high 13 kills while teammate Sage Rebecca added 9. Danielle Siwik handed out 14 assists and Shea Gallus 9.

Rebecca and Wheeling's Kuzmanic led their teams with 3 blocks.

"It's very exciting to be in the race for conference," said Kuzmanic, who has played for two Mid-Suburban League championship girls basketball teams coached by Shelly Wiegel. "We wanted it from the start and were very motivated to prove we are one of the top teams in the conference."

Jordan led the Wildcats with 13 digs, followed by Taylor Schroeder (10) and Gorzelany (8).

The Wildcats and Knights will meet again Saturday in the Prospect Invite.

Elk Grove d. Buffalo Grove: Host Elk Grove (8-9, 2-3) received 6 kills apiece from Jessica Condon, Melanie Jarosz and Leah Miller in a 25-16, 18-25, 25-17 victory. Diamond Boyd and Kristen Cetkovic each added 5 kills while Jessica Balzano collected 12 digs with 3 aces.

Alanna Zawlocki (7 kills), Paige Smith (6), Sierra Bugno (5) and Bailey North (4) led the Bison (2-16, 0-5).

Schaumburg d. Hoffman Estates: Host Schaumburg went undefeated in the first half of MSL West play with a 25-23, 25-19 victory. Emily Young collected 5 kills, 4 digs, 3 blocks and 5 assists and an ace for the Saxons while teammate Kelly Koutnik added 4 kills and Sara Travis 3. Alyssa Saklak served 3 aces for Schaumburg and teammates Travis and Rebecca Thompson each had 2.

Hoffman (7-10, 1-4) was led by Jada Stott's 7 kills and 3 apiece by Mirela Horozovic and Mel McGinn.

Barrington d. Conant: Madison Lang (22 assists, 4 blocks, 11 digs), Amanda Dee (28 dogs, 5 aces) and Julia Thompson (8 kills) led visiting Barrington (8-11, 4-1) in a 25-18, 20-25, 25-22 victory in the MSL West.

Conant (6-12, 1-4) was led on attack by Chelsea Vanicek (8 kills) and Jennifer Donnell (4) while Samantha Armando served 4 aces and Rachael Yordon had 30 digs.

Hersey d. Rolling Meadows: Alexa Stedman served 7 aces in Game 2 as the host Huskies (15-3) went 5-0 in the first round of MSL East play with a 25-11, 25-7 victory.

Top attackers for Hersey were Kelsey Haas (8 kills) and Christine Solans (6) while sophomore setter Abby Fesl handed out 18 assists and senior Jennis Mueller collected 12 digs.

Hersey has not dropped an MSL East match since the 2007 season.

Fremd d. Palatine: Host Fremd (12-6, 3-2) posted a 21-25, 25-17, 26-24 triumph as Vikings senior Alex Messner put down 17 kills. Sophomore Rebecca Clarke and junior Kelly Doherty each had 4 kills for the winners, who received 27 assists from Marylin Lortz and 15 digs from Jaimie Groot.

Palatine (7-5, 2-3) visits Conant in the only MSL West match today at 6 p.m.