Hersey helps Lill return as a winner
Mike Freda, Kevin Schroeder and the rest of the Hersey team made sure Nancy Lill’s return to boys varsity volleyball coaching was a resounding success.
Freda, a sophomore libero, came within 1 dig of setting a school defensive record, while junior Schroeder swatted a match-high 15 kills as the Huskies rallied to defeat visiting Schaumburg 21-25, 25-16, 25-20 in a season-opening Mid-Suburban League crossover at Ken Carter Gymnasium in Arlington Heights.
“We were basically just out here making sure our first game was a win,” said Schroeder, who helped give Lill the victory in her first boys game as head coach in seven years. “But to win for coach Lill was a bonus, and I’m glad we could add to her legacy.”
Lill, the long-time girls coach, had been the boys JV coach after stepping down from varsity and turning the reins over to Jodi Blazek, who guided Hersey to six consecutive successful seasons.
Lill — who led the boys team to a second-place state finish in 2003 — agreed to return as head coach this season as Blazek, a former college setter at Bowling Green, will now be able to devote more time to her family that includes two young children.
“It was nice to get the victory tonight,” said Lill, “especially when you consider how well Schaumburg played, especially on defense.”
The Saxons were led on offense by senior outside hitter Andrew Stetter with 10 kills.
“We had some positives and negatives tonight,” said Schaumburg coach Jeff O’Brien. “Our hitters did a great job, and I thought our defense was solid — we picked up a lot of balls.”
After the teams traded wins in the first two sets, Hersey turned the tide midway through the third when Schroder hit 3 kills, the last one a pretty tip to an open spot on the Schaumburg side of the court.
Senior Jason Kellermeyer (9 kills) led a late Saxons rally but the combination of setter Matt Cayton (29 assists) to Schroeder closed out the match and put the win in the Hersey column.
“We’ve got some varsity experience,” said Lill, “but basically we’re a young team, with a freshman and two sophomores getting playing time.”
One of the sophs being Freda, who made an instant impression by recording 28 digs, one short of the Hersey mark of 29.
“He was unconscious out there,” said Lill. “He was digging everything in sight.”