Kusner slides into key role for red-hot Maine West

Mary Kusner always liked basketball.

Volleyball has now moved right alongside as her favorite sport.

So much so, that she is thinking about playing both sports in college.

"Basketball is a lot of work," said the three-sport senior standout, also a track and field competitor who was third in the Central Suburban League high jump last year. "I'm thinking about playing both. I'm taking volleyball a lot more serious."

Kusner's goal prior to the season was to accumulate more kills than blocks.

She is achieving that.

Thursday's 25-18, 25-11 victory in Des Plaines over visiting Maine East (5-22, 1-7) was a perfect example.

Kusner put down a career-high 8 kills along with 2 blocks as the Warriors (17-11, 7-1) remained tied for first with Glenbrook North in the CSL North.

"Mary is stepping up at the right time," said Maine West coach Randy Tiller, who watched his team jump to a 7-0 advantage in Game 1.

The Warriors, who tied for the conference crown last year with the Spartans, are 11-2 since losing to Glenbrook North three weeks ago.

Maine West junior slugger Alise Tupuritis also put down 8 kills Thursday, while Maria Rozo and Emily Ott each had a pair.

Amanda Knipp and sophomore Liz Freeman added 1 each, while Amanda Zito collected 2 blocks.

Freeman and senior Michelle Obillo (4 aces) were responsible for launching the sets to the West hitters.

"We've been communicating and our passing has been amazing," said Obillo about the Warriors' recent success.

Tiller said Sarah Dister, Samantha Czekaj and Ott have improved their passing skills, allowing the Warriors to run more slides on offense.

"And our setters have been more confident," Tiller said.

Obillo ran a beautiful slide play with Kusner for 2-0 lead in Game 2 -- which soon became 14-5.

"Those slides (the setter finds an attacker while on the move horizontally) are a natural for a basketball player like Mary," Tiller said." They're like shooting a layup.

"Going into the season, Mary was hitting quick sets and high sets in the middle. I told her she'd have to add one more shot -- the slide."

"We've been running more slides and that's changed our whole offense," Kusner said. "We've switched up our defense in the back row, too, and that has helped. We're playing with a lot more confidence."

Game 1 ended when Kusner dug up an attack to Obillo, who returned the set for the kill.

"When we played Maine West earlier in the season, our problem was getting around its block," said Maine East coach David Astrahan. "Today we got around the block, but our problem was passing and confidence."