Combs, Barrington power past Fremd
After a solid first game in which Barrington's girls volleyball team won 25-19 at Fremd, the key for the Fillies would be to avoid a letdown in the Game 2.
Meagan Combs made sure that wouldn't happen at the start as the 5-foot-6 senior defensive specialist served 4 straight aces to open the game and force a Fremd timeout.
Moments later, freshman Emily Casaletto served 6 straight points to give the Fillies a 12-1 lead and they never looked back in a 25-19, 25-9 Mid-Suburban League West Division victory.
“I played libero in college and I wouldn't have been able to pass up those serves of Meagan's, said coach Christopher Bronke, whose Fillies (10-12, 6-2) remained 1 match out of first place in the West behind Schaumburg (14-6, 7-1). “Serving and blocking is what we preach every day in practice.
The Fillies excelled in both as Combs and Casaletto each finished with 4 aces and Madison Land and Amanda Dee each collected 2.
Blocking wise, Lauren Shechtman led the way with 6, followed by Julia Thompson, Annabel Perry and Joy Johnson with 3 apiece and Lang 2.
“We have just been focusing a lot on having fun, and it's working, Combs said. “After my first serve (in Game 2), I said ‘that felt good, I want to do it again'
She did, three more times, setting the tone for the lopsided Game 2 win.
“We did not serve receive very well and that's to Barrington's credit, said Fremd coach Curt Pinley, whose team is 14-7 and 5-3. “They did a great job of serving and we did not respond.
“We just didn't answer the bell tonight. They got on a positive roll and took advantage of that.
In Game 1, Dee served 5 straight points, including an ace to give the Fillies a 14-5 advantage.
After falling to Conant early last week, the Fillies put in a new practice plan and have not lost since.
“When we start practice, I ask the girls what they want to work on as opposed to me telling them what to work on, Bronke said.
“Thus far, we've taken care of what we need to do (to win the conference). It's really been enjoyable to see the girls doing the things they're supposed to do.
In addition to her 6 blocks, Shechtman also led the team with 5 kills.
“I just want to have fun out there, said the 6-foot sophomore middle blocker. “We were all really focused and pumped up to play Fremd.
Thompson, Johnson and Perry each put down 4 kills for the winners while Dee, Olivia Szuszkiewicz and Combs all collected 7 digs.
Senior Alex Messner led the Vikings with 6 kills, while Rebecca Clarke had 3 and Jessi Wiedemann 2.
“Alex has done a fantastic job for us, Pinley said. “Her leadership has gotten us to the point we're at.