Saxons give Sanchez happy birthday gift

The Schaumburg girls volleyball team just couldn't let down its outside hitter Monica Sanchez, who was celebrating her 17th birthday.

So the Saxons never did let down in a 25-16, 25-18 victory over visiting Fremd on Tuesday night.

"They (Schaumburg) just keep pressuring you and turning the screws," said Fremd coach Craig Pinley. "They do not make any mistakes and they play aggressive.

"When that happens, you have to play just as aggressive and we did not."

The Saxons (15-3, 6-0), who lead the Mid-Suburban West by 3 matches over Barrington, Fremd and Conant (all 3-3), turned on the pressure early and built a 13-3 lead in Game 1.

"It was exciting," said Sanchez (9 digs, 2 blocks) about playing on her birthday. "I was just hoping we would play well. A win is always good for a birthday present."

During the big first-game rally, Saxons 5-foot-10 senior Alexandria Jackson served for 7 straight points to break a 2-2 tie. Her ace made it 9-2.

Jackson finished with 5 kills, one behind team leader Gabrielle Blackwell, who also had 2 blocks and 9 digs.

"Basically we had to play Schaumburg defense and Schaumburg volleyball," Jackson said. "Coach P (Jeanette Pancratz) has been getting us prepared all season. We knew the things we have to do in this match and we did them."

Game 2 was tighter. Back-to-back kills by Fremd senior Danielle Warner tied it at 13-13 before the Saxons began to pull away.

Senior Heather Bolger (4 kills, 2 aces, 10- digs) served 5 straight points for a 19-13 lead, capped by an ace.

During the run, Jackson put down a kill off a quick set by Drewann Pancratz (18 assists, 9 digs).

"Drewann and I work a lot on that in practice," Jackson said. "We all work with her in practice and make sure we know what we're doing by game time."

When Jackson or Blackwell weren't taking cues from Pancratz, Gryte Satas was often making her presence felt in the middle.

The 6-foot-3 senior middle executed a perfect quick set with Pancratz that helped set the tone during the Saxons' big run in Game 1.

Satas also had 4 blocks and 4 digs.

"We knew Fremd was one of the better teams in our conference," Satas said. "We knew we had to come out right away and take it to them. This was an important conference match."

The victory went to Schaumburg when senior Maggie Kostecki put down the final kill off a set from Pancratz.

Junior Aleks Kostka also helped spark the back row with 8 digs and 9-of-9 passing.

Fremd (11-8, 3-3) was led on attack by Stephanie Alesi (5 kills), Warner (4) and Kaitlyn Pascus (3).

Patricia Fehr contributed 10 digs for the Vikings while Michelle Gonnella had 4 assists and Natalie Bruck 3.

"We were just in a funk tonight," Pinley said. "Schaumburg is an outstanding team and when you let them have the lead and try to catch up, that's tough.

"Unfortunately, that has been our M.O. our last two matches and we have to change that if we want to do well in the state tournament."