Good times continue for Conant

Conant's girls volleyball team, enjoying its finest week of the season, capped it off Saturday with a second-place finish to Payton High School in the Cougars' own eight-team invite in Hoffman Estates.

Improving its overall record to 10-10, Conant was the only team to take the Payton to three games, and lost by only 2 points in the decisive one as the Grizzlies from Chicago prevailed 25-15, 15-25, 15-13.

"It was tough to finish second in this tournament last year because were undefeated for the season when Conant defeated us," said Payton junior middle hitter Marni Faines. "We had a mental lapse against Conant in Game 1 (Saturday). We came out much stronger in Games 2 and 3."

"Our energy was really good in the last two games against Conant," added Grizzlies sophomore Michelle Schultz.

Conant notched wins over Trinity, Maine East and South Elgin before the loss to Payton.

"We worked hard together and we just have to keep communicating," said Cougars senior Antionette Schiffer, who enjoyed her best varsity tourney by registering 18 kills and 28 digs in the four matches.

The Cougars also notched wins this week over Lake Park and Hoffman Estates.

Conant dropped the first game to Hoffman on Thursday and trailed 24-18 in Game 2 before rallying for a 24-26, 26-24, 25-20 triumph.

"It was a good week," said Hall of Fame Cougars coach Peggy Scholten. "This is something we needed. It's important for the girls to see the positive results from their hard work. And everyone contributed to this. Even the girls on our bench because they helped give us good practices."

Senior Kristin Perschon, who has made verbal commitment to Division II Northwood University in Michigan, led the Cougars attack with 25 kills, followed by Chelsea Vanicek (23), Schiffer, Allie Bauch (15) and Antonia Jones (9)

Senior setter Marni Wiklanski directed the offense with 58 assists while Perschon (16) and Jones (7) led in blocking.

Freshman Taylor Levitt collected a team-high 38 digs.

"It was such a great team effort," Scholten added. "Everything clicked starting with that comeback in Game 2 Thursday (against Hoffman) and the girls realized they can win."

South Elgin notched third place by defeating Glenbard North 26-27, 25-20, 15-11.

Storm coach Joni Melahn saw her team (6-15-1) double its wins in one day with a 3-1 record.

"Our last two tournaments have been tough," she said. "This is nice tourney for us. We are definitely playing teams at our level. We've tended to make a lot of mistakes in our earlier invites. We controlled them this time and that helped us get third place."

Batavia tourney: St. Viator (20-4) took second place to the host Bulldogs (14-9-1), who defeated the Lions in the championship match 25-19, 25-23.

"There were some incredible rallies," said Batavia coach Lori Trippi-Payne of the title match. "The score went back and forth by 1 point from 10-10 all the way to 23-23."

St. Viator served at 23-23 and Batavia sided out. Then, following a marathon rally in which both teams made great digs, Caitlin Piechota hit the ball over the seam in the block for the match-winning kill.

It was Batavia's first tournament title since 2004.

"This is a huge win for us, especially how well we played in the finals against a very good St. Viator team, Trippi-Payne said. "They did not have one weak attacker in their lineup and our team did a great job of shutting them down with our blocking, defense, and tough serving to keep them out of system."

For the tourney, the Lions were led on attack Emily Leazer (36 kills) Kelly McConnell (21 kills), Kelly Travaglio (19 kills), Christina Brinkman (16 kills) and Mary Calov (15 kill) while junior setter Carlyn Clevenger handed 91 assists.

Stevenson Invite: Wheeling (8-16) went 2-3 in the invite, getting wins over Grant and Loyola. Kellie Kuzmanic (21 kills) and Colleen Kelly (37 digs) were named to the all-tourney team for the Wildcats.

Other top attackers for the Wheeling were Bianca Szafarowicz (13 kills), Stephanie Kuzmanic (8), Sarah Hennessy (6), Lauren Addis (16), Kayla Jordan (15), Kelsie Jurik (18), and Stephanie Fuchs (5).

Fuchs also had 60 assists while Samantha Calderon added 11.