Hersey rises to East crown
The beat goes on for Hersey’s girls volleyball team.
Senior Kristen Pedersen put down 6 kills and junior Erica Hill added 5 as the Huskies topped visiting Buffalo Grove 25-14, 25-18 to clinch their ninth straight Mid-Suburban East crown and 12th in the last 14 years.
The Huskies improved to 20-3 and 9-0 in the MSL East where they have not lost a set.
Junior setter Abby Fesl (16 assists) used all her weapons, including Kelsey Haas (4 kills) and Lindsay Boivin (2 kills) as Hersey won its 41st straight MSL East match.
“Buffalo Grove played nice defense,” said Hersey coach Nancy Lill, who won her 769th match in a 27-year career. “They have improved a ton. It’s the best BG team in a while. They battled for sure.”
Senior Paige Smith led the Bison (11-13, 6-3) with 10 kills while teammates Alaina Murphy had 6 and Bailey North 4.
Libero Victoria Ito scooped up 9 digs while Smith had 7 and Katie Okamoto 6.
“We tried to keep it away from Ito’s hands,” said Lill, referring to the all-area libero. “She is a real key for them.”
Hill also had a block for Hersey.
“Erica has been out for three days with a bad back,” Lill said. “I didn’t even know if she’d be ready to go. She did a great job. And Kristen (Pedersen) and Kelsey (Haas) are always keys to our offense. Both are swinging hard.”
Pedersen led the back row with 11 digs, followed by Fesl (8), Allie Mueller (5), Taylor Schill (4) and Maggie Hogen (4).
Prior to the match, the Huskies presented flowers to BG coach Marianne O’Shea, who is retiring after the school year as girls athletic director and volleyball coach.
“It was nice to recognize in her final match in our gym,” said Huskies coach Nancy Lill, who will honor her seniors on Thursday night against visiting Wheeling.
Rolling Meadows d. Wheeling: Morgan Keller (5 kills), Rachel Mickey (5), Ashley Montanez (4), Veronica Drabowski (4) and Jenny Vliet (4) led the Mustangs (15-10, 5-4) in an 18-25, 25-14, 25-21 victory.
Vliet also had 13 assists while Olivia Falk added 7.
Wheeling (3-20, 0-9) was led on attack by Kellie Kuzmanic (7 kills) and Sydney Kieth (6). Sara Kern directed the Wildcats’ offense with 30 assists.
Palatine d. Schaumburg: The Pirates (10-12, 4-5) posted a 25-16, 25-18 triumph as senior Laura Kluk handed out 20 assists and served 4 aces.
Amanda Hilmer registered 8 kills while teammates Taylor Fricano, Val Soderstrom and Heather Suiter each added 4.
Schaumburg (15-13, 4-5) was led on attack by sophomore Kiana Lewis (7 kills) and junior Kelly Koutnik (5), who also had 13 digs. Meghan Falsey (10 assists) and Sam Mellert (5) ran the offense.
Prospect d. Elk Grove: The host Knights (10-12, 4-5) won 25-12, 25-29 on their “Volley for the Cure” night as senior Rebecca Sage, junior Colleen Chupiek and junior Lauren Yearian each put down 5 kills from the setting of Shea Gallus (11 assists) and Danielle Siwik (8).
Conant d. Hoffman Estates: Senior Morgan Peterson put down 6 kills and sophomore Jenn Donnell added 4 with 2 blocks for Conant (10-12, 4-5) in a 25-22, 25-13 triumph on “Volley for the Cure” night at Hoffman Estates.
Junior Taylor Levitt (10 assists) and junior Suzi Loznjakovic (8) ran the offense while Rachael Yordon collected 12 digs.
Hoffman was paced by junior Becca Stoczynski (5 kills) and sophomore Clare Schaffer (3) on attack while senior Karina Zolp handed out 6 assists.
Carmel d. St. Viator: Carmel posted a 25-22, 25-16 triumph over the Lions (15-18, 2-5), who were led by Lauren Falotico (6 kills) and Rachel Horvath (5). Megan Mueller led the back row with 10 digs while setter Emily Williams collected 13 assists.
Christian Liberty d. Christian Life (Rockford): Carly Baric paced the Chargers with 5 kills and teammate Jayna Rowland served 5 aces in a row in a 25-12, 25-19 triumph.
Maine East d. Maine West: Maine East recorded a 25-21, 25-22 triumph over the Warriors (3-19, 2-6) in the CSL North match.
Katie Fitzgerald (7 kills) and Maddie Plantz (5) led West on attack while Alyssa Bojarski collected 18 assists with 1 solo block, 3 aces and 5 service points.