Girls volleyball: Palatine completes 1st half sweep of MSL West

With one of the most talented teams he's had in his 20 seasons, Palatine girls volleyball coach Dan Gavin believes the second half of the Mid-Suburban League season should be fun if his players continue to pair their potential with hard work.

The Pirates (13-3) closed out the first half of its MSL West season in perfect fashion, going 5-0 after Thursday's 25-16, 25-16 win over visiting Elk Grove (8-10, 1-4).

"We're hoping that things continue to go well and that we can finish on top in our division," said Dennison pledge Zoe Johnson, who had 4 kills and 4 aces and serve receive ratio of 2.13.

"We have a lot of big hopes for this season. We have a lot of really good personnel, a lot of seniors and a lot of really experienced players, even the underclassmen. We have to keep up the good mental aspect of things in practice. I think we can really do some good things."

The Pirates were doing good things right away on Thursday, taking a 5-1 lead, thanks to sophomore Baeley Berry's kill off a quick set from junior Alaina Ratay (16 assists).

The lead grew to 12-6 after a back-to-back kill and block from senior Brooklyn Chesak.

A back row kill by senior Sammie Kendrick and a block from classmate Delila Kessler made it 19-10.

After a kill from a sideout kill from Chesak, Ratay served 3 straight points including an ace and block by Chesak to get the Pirates to set point.

After a kill by Grenadiers senior Olivia Eugene made it 24-16, Ratay quick set Berry (3 kills) for the set winner.

Berry led the Pirates with 5 blocks while Chesak (6 kills, 4 digs) had 4 and Kessler 2.

"I thought we really changed the match tonight with our blocking because they got some good hitters on that team," Gavin said. "As a team, our blocking has really come around. It's something we have focused on the last week and a half. The girls have really bought into the fact that it is something we have to get better at if we are going to compete with the best teams around."

Just as Elk Grove was making a move in the second set, cutting a 5-point deficit to 10-8, Johnson helped steer the momentum back to the Pirates with 3 straight aces and a service point for a 15-8 cushion.

She also wrapped up the match with 2 service points, the first coming on a big smash by Chesak off a Ratay set.

"A big key for us is how friendly we are with each other and how much we like each other as a team," said Chesak, who is hoping to play Division II or III volleyball. "We all love each other equally and it's really easy to play when everyone gets along so well."

After Chesak's blast, Johnson served an ace for the match winner.

"Zoe's serves were great," Gavin added. "When she gets on a roll, she is really tough.

“A lot of people stepped up for us. We just have to stay focused to what we are doing in every practice and match and also look at the big picture."

First-year Elk Grove coach Pat Hennelly said his team starting out slowly in each set was indicative of the first half of the season.

"We are a slow starting team but when we really amped it up and got into our full rhythm swinging, we really found that momentum and power," he said. "Unfortunately tonight, we just weren't able to hit our peak early enough. If we would have done that, I think it would have been a lot closer match for us."

Senior Reese Wadas led Elk Grove with 6 kills while junior Angelica Dylag had 5.

Hennelly liked his team's defensive effort.

"I feel like my libero (senior Mari Tan) came out and was one of the shining stars on our defense," he said. "And Riley Samelak (senior DS) played one of her best games. Our defense was great. We just need to see more of it converting into offense."