Hill, Hersey block out Prospect
With nine straight crowns, Hersey’s girls volleyball team has blocked out its five Mid-Suburban East rivals from a title since 2003.
On Thursday night, Huskies 6-foot senior middle Erica Hill blocked Prospect with authority as Hersey stopped the host Knights 25-11, 25-16 in the Jean Walker Field House.
Coincidentally, Prospect was the last team to win an East title other than Hersey. Coach Mike Riedy’s Knights won in 2001 and 2002.
Hill’s big night included 8 blocks and 3 kills as the Huskies improved to 16-3 and 6-0 in the East.
Other top attackers for Hersey were senior Anna Mullen-Muhr (6 kills), freshman Liz Fuerst (3), sophomore Courtney Stedman (2), sophomore Gabriella Olhava (2) and senior Abby Fesl (2), who also set the attack with 14 assists.
Veteran libero Taylor Schill anchored the defense with 14 digs, followed by Katie Krebs (8), Allie Mueller (4) and Megan Solans (2).
Mueller also had 2 aces and Olhava 2 blocks.
Prospect’s attack, set by Maggie Haaning and Bree Geweniger, was led by senior Holly Hunt’s 4 kills.
Senior Sam Loebbaka paced the back row with 9 digs for the Knights (6-7, 2-4).
Elk Grove d. Wheeling: Seniors Emily Wary (6 kills) and Diamond Boyd (4) were top attackers for visiting Elk Grove (14-10, 3-3) in a 25-21, 25-23 victory.
Christine Juhas (11 assists) and Kerry Souder (6) set the offense while Becca Siwicki recorded 3 blocks.
Boyd (14 digs) and Kelsey Conley (13) sparked the back row. Juhas (10-of-10) and Souder (9-of-9) each served a pair of aces.
Wheeling (6-9, 1-5) was paced by Sydney Keith (6 kills) and Cayla Iwaniuk (3). Sara Kern collected 15 digs in the back row.
St. Viator d. Fenwick: Junior Megan Muellerput down 9 kills for St. Viator as the visiting Lions (8-13, 1-1) posted a 25-21, 25-21 ESCC victory in Oak Park.
Other top attackers for Viator were Molly Ziegler (3 kills), Lauren Mroz (2) and Mary Cleary (2).
Ziegler handed out 15 assists while Mueller and Sara Lopez sparked the back row with 12 digs each and Caroline Young had 8.
Glenbrook North d. Maine West: The host Spartans won the CSL North match 25-11, 25-19 as West slipped to 4-13 and 1-3.
Ashley Collins led the Warriors’ attack with 5 kills while Magda Czerlonko and Julia Huinker each had 2.
“I changed the lineup tonight,” said Warriors coach Randy Tiller. “I’m pleased with the level of effort and on-court communication. I’m disappointed in our technical performance. We made too many hitting errors and had too many missed blocks on their middle hitters.”
But Tiller found positives.
“Ashley Collins delivered another strong match,” he said. “Magda Czerlonko stepped up, taking on a new role tonight. Kassidy Riportella and Janna Lopez (setters) worked as hard as I’ve seen them play. We’ll learn from this match and get ready for Highland Park (next Thursday).”