New faces keep Hersey in familiar place

Hersey's girls volleyball team has a lot of new faces in its starting lineup this season.

But there's nothing new about the way the Huskies are approaching another season under coach Nancy Lill.

They clearly want to extend their Mid-Suburban East championship streak to eight in a row and they got off on the right foot Thursday night at the Ken Carter Gymnasium in Arlington Heights.

Putting on what Prospect coach Mike Riedy described as a "serving clinic," the Huskies put down 7 aces en route to a 25-16, 25-12 victory over the Knights, the last team to win an MSL East crown (2002) other than Hersey.

While last year's MSL championship team was filled with experience, this year's Hersey edition has a lot of newcomers in the starting lineup.

One veteran, however, from a year ago is 5-foot-8 senior Christine Solans, who delivered a match-high 6 kills with a pair of aces.

"We were worried about Prospect," Solans said. "Just because they are Prospect. And they have Sarah Hunt and some other great players."

Hunt, a 6-3 middle hitter, put on a blocking clinic as the senior collected five while classmates Ashley Wabik and Sam Mangrum each had 1.

"That was the best blocking I've seen from us in along time," Riedy said. "Sarah Hunt was everywhere.

"And I was pleased with our setting (juniors Danielle Siwik and Shea Gallus) for the most part. Our two setters were running all over trying to better the ball. They took some tough passes and made them into decent sets."

Hersey (2-1, 1-0) was 43-of-45 serving with Abby Fesl and Danielle Perkins also getting 2 aces apiece.

"They did a fantastic job serving," Riedy said. "And we couldn't pass."

The Huskies also passed their test on attack, as junior Kelsey Haas (5 kills), senior Alexa Stedman (5 kills), junior Kristen Pedersen (4 kills), junior Maggie Hogen (3 kills) and Fesl (2 kills) all complemented Solans.

"Abby (Fesl, a sophomore who was 42-of-43 with 21 assists) is doing a real nice job," added captain Solans. "She keeps the opponents guessing at who is going to get the ball."

"Abby is such a deceptive setter for the opponent's blockers," Lill said. "And I was thrilled with the match that Christine played. What a complete game - 6 kills, 10 digs and 2 aces."

Hersey broke open a tight first game when Fesl served for 6 straight points for a 20-12 lead.

The Huskies pulled away a little sooner in Game 2, breaking on top 14-4, thanks to the serving of Fesl and Taylor Schill (7-of-8, 1 ace).

"We had a good start in Game 1, then we started thinking too much and Hersey woke up," Riedy said.

Defensively, the Huskies also received 9 digs from Fesl, 8 from libero Jenni Mueller and 7 from Perkins.

Haas led with 4 blocks while Stedman and Hogen each had 2.

Anne Geweneger and Sage Rebecca each had 4 digs for the Knights (0-3, 0-1).

"We had a lot of adrenaline for first conference match," Solans said. "That makes it fun and it's 100 times better when you win it. It's a good confidence boost for our conference season."

Barrington d. Palatine: Host Barrington (2-2, 1-1) won the MSL West opener 25-22, 25-19 as Madison Lang (8 kills) and Joy Johnson (3) led the attack, set by Emily Casaletto (6 assists, 4 aces) and Lang (6).

Setter Laura Kluk had 12 assists for the Pirates (2-1, 1-0), who were led on attack by Kluk and Heather Suiter with 3 kills apiece.

Schaumburg d. Conant: Alyssa Saklak (9 kills), Sara Travis (6), Emily Young (6) and Rebecca Thompson (5) led the offense for visiting Schaumburg (2-0, 1-0) in a 25-16, 22-25, 25-9 victory. Young added 12 assists while Thompson had 8 digs.

Chelsea Vanicek put down 7 kills for the Cougars (1-2, 0-1) and Kelly Anderson added 6. Setter Kaitlin Chiero collected 11 assists.

Fremd d. Hoffman Estates: Senior Alex Messner put down 12 kills and classmate Kayla Price handed out 22 assists as host Fremd (3-0, 1-0) recorded a 25-21, 25-20 triumph. Jessi Wiedemann added 4 kills and Rebecca Clarke 3 for the Vikes, who received 3 aces from sophomore Nina Scott.

Meadows d. Buffalo Grove: Visiting Meadows won the MSL East opener 25-21, 15-25, 25-23.

BG (1-7, 0-1) was led by Alanna Zawlocki, who put down 14 kills while teammate Sherra Bugno added 7. Paige Smith and Bailey North each had 5 while Kathy Hampton handed out 25 assists.

Wheeling d. Elk Grove: Seniors Kayla Jordan (10 kills) and Sarah Hennessy (9) led the offense for visiting Wheeling (2-1, 1-0) in a 25-22, 21-25, 25-16 victory.

Setter Stephanie Fuchs dished out 20 assists and collected 9 digs while classmate Annette Gorzelany had 22 digs against the Grens (0-2, 0-1).

St. Viator d. Regina: Led by Lauren Falotico (6 kills), Emily Leazer 5), Julie Sweeney (5) and Rachel Horvath (4), St. Viator improved to 6-1 with a 25-11, 25-16 nonconference triumph in Wilmette.

Carlyn Clevenger handed out 20 assists for the Lions.