Clincher's sweet for Fremd
This time the Vikings got the icing on the cake.
After sharing the Mid-Suburban West championship with Conant last fall, Fremd's girls volleyball team won the title outright on Tuesday night with a 25-21, 19-25, 2-59 triumph over visiting Hoffman Estates.
The Vikings (20-8, 7-3), who were celebrating Senior Night, finished 1 match ahead of runner-up Barrington (6-4).
Fremd will host East champ Hersey (23-1, 10-0) for the MSL title a week from Thursday at 7 p.m.
"Winning the division was in the back of our minds," said Vikings senior Colleen Andersen, who put down 3 kills. "We were close last year so it feels good to pull it out this season."
The Vikings pulled out Game 1 after falling behind 6-1.
"No we weren't nervous at that point," Andersen said. "We knew we could come back. We just needed to refocus. We have a lot of faith in our defense. We trust everyone."
That defense is led by senior Lena Brottman, who collected 5 digs and was 17-of-17 serve receiving.
"We'd rather have won in it two games but three makes it exciting," said Brottman, the Vikings ace softball pitcher who has verbally committed to Emory University in Atlanta, Ga. to play softball. "This is exciting. We've just got to keep working on things to get better for the rest of the season."
A kill by senior Lauren LaMasse gave Hoffman (14-14, 4-6) the 6-1 cushion but Fremd fought back and took the lead for good at 8-7 on a kill by senior Tess Dinterman (6 kills, 1 block).
Alex Messner, who struck for a match-high 12 kills, had one to end the game on a quick set from Kayla Price (28 assists).
"We just knew we had to pick it up (after the slow start),' said Messner, who also had an ace and was 15-of-15 serve receiving with 3 digs.
Hoffman won Game 2 as senior Kristie Hisey (14-15, 12 ace) served for seven straight points for a 19-10 lead.
Her kill eventually ended the game at 25-19.
LaMasse led the Hawks with 9 kills while Kelsey Lukowicz and Jada Stotts each had 5. Stephanie Schwarz (10 assists) and Kelsey Pellus (6) set the offense.
Fremd jumped ahead 6-0 in Game 3 and never looked back as Messner served for the 6 points, getting a pair of aces along the way.
"We knew the first game would be tough," said Vikings coach Curt Pinley, who now has 226 career wins as the Vikings girls coach. "Obviously we didn't expect to be down 6-1 right away, but we knew Hoffman would play at a high level and that it would be a difficult match to win the division."
Senior Melanie Arns added 4 kills for the Vikes.
Hoffman coach Dan Hutton praised the Vikings, who will be playing in their first title match since 1999.
"I have to congratulate Curt and his girls for playing a fantastic match," Hutton said. "They produced excellent play throughout the season. I wish we would have played up to our potential for the second half of the season."
Hersey d. Prospect: Hersey (23-1, 10-0) completed an undefeated season in the MSL East with a 25-23, 25-23 victory as Maddie Swan (2 blocks) put down a match-high 12 kills, followed by Katie Lill (6), Jamie Welter (6) and Christina Solans (4). Joanna Hoffman was 58-61 setting with 25 assists while Becca Haraf had 15 digs and Lill 13.
Prospect (18-10, 7-3 was led by Rachel Hunt (6 kills), Sam Mangrum (4) and Mariel Sobey (3). Danielle Siwick (13 assists) and Abby Homuth (8) set the attack while Maureen O'Keefe scooped up 21 digs and was 21-of-21 serve receiving.
Schaumburg d. Conant: Junior Emily Young (9 kills, 10 digs, 7 assists) led Schaumburg to a 23-25, 25-23, 27-25 victory.
Rebecca Thompson added 6 kills while Alyssa Saklak (13 digs), Jenny Dolan (12) helped spark the defense. Marni Gonnering handed out 9 assists.
Antoinette Schiffer had 5 kills, 14 digs and was 21-of-22 serve receiving for Conant (11-12, 3-7) while teammate Marni Wiklanski collected 15 assists, 11 digs, and 3 blocks.
Elk Grove d. Wheeling: Jessica Condon, who had 14 assists, also led the Elk Grove attack with 6 kills in a 25-14, 25-15 triumph. Mel Jarosz added 5 kills for the Grens while Amanda Gattone had 4 and Stephanie Maday 3. Olivia Roback (3 aces) collected 9 digs and Condon had 8.
Wheeling (8-19, 1-9) was paced on attack by Kellie Kuzmanic (3 kills) while Bianca Szafarowicz had 14 digs.
Tara Braceros, Gattone and Condon each had a pair of aces.
Barrington d. Palatine: Tanja Mookerji had 9 digs and Madison Lang collected 10 assists as the Fillies (14-14, 6-4) won 25-9, 25-16.
Top attackers for MSL runner-ups were Mallory Combs (4 kills), Julia Thomspon (3) and Joy Johnson (3) who also had 3 aces.
Madison Lang, Emily Harris, Kristie Fijal and Johnson each added 2 blocks.
Rolling Meadows d. Buffalo Grove: Samantha Rosinski (8 kills), Jackie Rosinski (7 kills) and Kelly Adair (5 kills) were top attackers for Rolling Meadows (8-20, 4-6) in a 26-28, 25-19, 25-19 triumph. Emily Nelms handed out 17 assists for the Mustangs while Alyssa Arwady had 14 digs.
BG (7-21, 1-9) was led by Alyssa Feld's 12 kills and 7 from Alanna Zawlocki. Kelly Somers collected 17 assists and 17 digs. Angie Lombardo scooped up 14 digs.
Benet d. St. Viator: Benet (25-2) picked up a 25-22, 25-21 victory in the ESCC as St. Viator received 8 kills apiece from Emily Leazer and Kelly Travaglio. Carlyn Clevenger collected 20 assists for the Lions (24-8-1, 6-3).