Girls volleyball: Griffiths, Zielinski guide Rolling Meadows into MSL title match with win vs. Hersey
When setter Lainey Griffiths and outside hitter Bella Zielinski helped lead Rolling Meadows girls volleyball team to the Mid-Suburban League East title two years ago as sophomores, it was the Mustangs' first divisional crown in 26 years.
Last week, the dynamic duo made sure to pocket one more for the program when they won the MSL West with a 10-0 record.
In Thursday's MSL championship semifinal at Hersey, Griffiths and Zielinski made sure they'd play in one more title match before they graduate next spring.
With Griffiths, the school's all-time leader in assists with more than 1,300, and Zielinski, the program's leader in kills, helping to pace the way, Rolling Meadows (24-5) earned an 18-25, 26-24, 25-22 triumph over Hersey (23-8) and will face MSL East champ Barrington for the MSL crown.
“It's really exciting,” Griffiths said. “After that first set we really knew we had something to prove. We knew we needed to pass, and everyone stepped up. We came out and were so aggressive. I know our connection had been off, but once we got into the swing of things, we had it by the third set.”
Griffiths was really connecting with sophomore Sophie Wery in the final set. Wery had three kills and two blocks in the set, including the match winner on a quick set from Griffiths.
“Sophie is an incredible athlete,” Mustangs coach Jack Nickle said. “We're looking forward to seeing what she can do the next two seasons.”
The Mustangs moved forward from the first set, pulling out a tight 26-24 decision, holding off one match point before Zielinski put down the final two kills.
“We just went into the second set with a different mindset,” Zielinski said “I don't feel we started the match all that great. In the second set we wanted to be as strong as possible and not fall behind.”
Hersey fell behind 10-6 and 17-12 in the third set but came back to within 20-19 before Rolling Meadows grabbed the lead for good on two service points from Zielinski, including an ace for a 22-19 lead.
“I'm so proud of everyone,” Griffiths said. “We all played so much better than the first set.”
The first set saw Hersey pull away to a 6-2 lead, thanks to back-to-back kills by Cassidy O'Brien and an ace by Avery Bashford. Leading 7-3, O'Brien served five straight points for a 12-3 lead that included a kill from Mahi Vullakula and ace from O'Brien.
Freya McBride's two service points made it a 20-9 lead, thanks in part to Morgan Matteucci's slam to the floor.
“Rolling Meadows had a great match,” said Hersey coach Laura Gerber. “They played tough. They never let up. They just kept swinging and we struggled to defend their offense. We had a hard time serving, but they just played really well and we could not beat them.”
Barrington d. Wheeling: In Wednesday's other MSL championship semifinal, Barrington (22-7, 10-0) posted a 25-19, 25-15 victory over visiting Wheeling (19-10, 7-3).
Leading the Fillies' attack were Kalyn Brookbank (20 kills), Maddie Black (four kills) and Lexi Szlezak (three kills). Eve Adler set the offense with 20 assists.
Leading the defense were Toni Rojas (13 digs), Adler (10) and Kinley Shinhoster (four).