No letdown for Barrington

After a solid first game in which the Barrington girls volleyball team won 25-19 at Fremd, the key for the Fillies would be to avoid a letdown in the second game.

Meagan Combs made sure they did 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 West victory.

“I played libero in college and I wouldn’t have been able to pass up those serves of Meagan’s, said Fillies coach Christopher Bronke, whose team (10-12, 6-2) remained one 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 apiece while Madison Lang and Amanda Dee each collected two.

Blocking-wise, Lauren Shechtman led the way with 6, followed by Julia Thompson, Annabel Perry and Joy Johnson with 3 each and Lang with two.

“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 for a 4-0 lead, 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 needed 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. Dee, Olivia Szuszkiewicz and Combs each collected 7 digs.

Senior Alex Messner led the Vikings with 6 kills while Rebecca Clarke had 3 and Jessi Wiedemann had two.

“Alex has done a fantastic job for us, Pinley added. “Her leadership has gotten us to the point we’re at.

Schaumburg d. Palatine: MSL West leader Schaumburg (14-6, 7-1) used 9 kills from Sara Travis and 12 assists from Emily Young to post a 20-25, 25-18, 25-22 victory over host Palatine.Young also had 5 kills, 4 digs and 3 aces while Rebecca Thompson (11 digs), Kelly Koutnik (10 digs) and Natasha Senecal (7 digs) led the back-row defense.Bria Hailey served 5 aces for the winners and Alyssa Saklak added 3.Kaley Sierawski put down a match-high 19 kills for the Pirates (9-12, 3-6) while Amanda Hilmer had 5 and Joanne Jablonski 4. Teammate Laura Kluk handed out 27 assists and Kelsey Batz was 11-of-11 serving.Hersey d. Buffalo Grove: Host Hersey (19-3, 8-0) remained one match ahead of Wheeling in the MSL East with a 25-11, 25-11 victory as Kelsey Haas (11 kills), Christine Solans (4) and Kristin Pedersen (4) led the Huskies#146; attack set by Abby Fesl (19 assists). Pedersen also had 4 blocks while Alexa Stedman and Haas each had 2 against the Bison (3-18, 1-7).Elk Grove d. Prospect: Diamond Boyd (11 kills), Melanie Jarosz (6), Jessica Condon (6) and Krista Soesbe (4) led host Elk Grove on attack in a 22-25, 25-23, 25-17 victory over Prospect (10-10, 4-4). Condon handed out 27 assists for the Grenadiers (12-13, 3-5) while senior Jessica Balzano led the back row with 7 digs and 17-of-17 serve receiving. Emily Jarosz was 14-of-15 serve receiving.Wheeling d. Rolling Meadows: Wheeling (17-9, 7-1) remained one match behind Hersey in the MSL East with a 25-23, 20-25, 25-14 triumph over host Rolling Meadows. Kellie Kuzmanic (11 kills), Sydney Keith (6) and Sarah Hennessy (5) led the Wildcats#146; attack while teammates Taylor Schroeder (19 digs) and Annette Gorzelany (16) sparked the back row. Stephanie Fuchs handed out 27 assists. Rolling Meadows (5-15, 1-7) was led by Rachel Mickey (8 digs), Jenny Vliet (6) and Veronica Drabowski (5).Hoffman d. Conant: Hoffman Estates improved to 10-15 and 2-6 in the MSL West with a 25-18, 25-11 victory over host Conant (7-15, 2-7). CLA d. Mooseheart: Christian Liberty Academy defeated Mooseheart 23-25, 25-18, 25-13 as Carly Baric led the Chargers with 8 kills and Annie Salsgiver 7 kills. Jayna Rowland collected 14 assists.Joliet Catholic d. St. Viator: Joliet Catholic posted a 25-18, 25-22 victory over the host Lions (17-6, 0-4) in the East Suburban Catholic. Emily Leazer led the Lions with 7 kills, followed by Janelle Stilling (5), Lauren Falotico (5), Julie Sweeny (3) and Rachel Horvath (3). Senior setter Carlyn Clevenger handed out 22 assists.