Schaumburg finishes off Fremd

Looking to retain first place in a Mid-Suburban West showdown at Fremd, Schaumburg's girls volleyball team found itself tied 17-17 in Game 3.

"We were all really nervous," said Saxons 5-foot-1 senior libero Natasha Senecal. "But we wanted to win so bad our nerves just kind of went out the window."

And senior Sara Travis's serves went in.

Starting off with a pair of aces, Travis served 4 straight points to push the Saxons ahead 21-17 and they went on to claim a 17-25, 25-18, 25-19 victory.

USC-bound Emily Young sparked the big win with a match-high 20 assists and 11 kills as the Saxons improved to 8-3 and 4-0.

Fremd (8-4, 2-2) played its second straight match without all-area setter Kayla Price, who has committed to Wisconsin-Milwaukee. The 5-foot-10 senior was on crutches Thursday, sidelined with a sprained ankle. Her return is not known at the moment.

"Emily (Young) took charge," said Saxons coach Jeanette Pancratz. "She stepped up and created offense."

Senecal and classmate Rebecca Thompson (match-high 6 aces) created defense, each collecting 10 digs.

"They played real nice defensive games," Pancratz added. "And Bri Hailey (junior middle hitter involved in 10 blocks) is a blocking machine. She certainly took control and was very focused."

Fremd senior Jaimie Groot served 7 straight points, including 2 aces, in Game 1 to give the Vikes a 14-7 lead and they never looked back.

Groot also served for the 23rd and 24th points of the game, one coming on sophomore Rebecca Clarke's fifth kill of the match.

Senior Alex Messner led the Fremd attack with a match-high 12 kills while Jessi Wiedemann added 3.

A kill by Hailey broke a 6-6 tie in Game 2 and the Saxons never trailed.

When Young's kill made it 25-18, Schaumburg had its biggest lead in the game.

"Schaumburg played a very good match and we need to work on serve receive," said Fremd coach Curt Pinley. "We just have not been able to do that the last few matches and it came up again this time."

Backup setter Marylin Lortz, a sophomore, came up with 14 assists while Messner (12 digs), Nina Scott (6) and Rebecca Bagg (4) paced the defense.

Other leaders in kills for Schaumburg were Hailey (7), Travis (6), Kelly Koutnik (5) and Alyssa Saklak (3).

"We were all looking forward to this match," Senecal added. "Everyone hustled for every single ball. We're really proud of each other."

"This team is very focused," Pancratz added. "I can't ask for any greater group of girls working harder every day at practice."

Hersey d. Wheeling: Host Hersey (9-3, 4-0) took over sole possession of first place in the MSL East with a 25-17, 25-12 victory as Kelsey Haas (9 kills) and Kristen Pedersen (8) led the Huskies' attack.

Sophomore Abby Fesl handed out 22 assists while Christine Solans (12 digs), Danielle Perkins (11) and Jenni Mueller (10).

Wheeling (8-3, 3-1) was led on attack by junior Kellie Kuzmanic's 5 kills while setter Stephanie Fuchs registered 11 assists.

Elk Grove d. Rolling Meadows: Leah Miller (8 kills), Diamond Boyd (7) and Jessica Condon (4) led visiting Elk Grove (4-7, 1-3) in a 25-17, 21-25, 25-16 victory as Grens first-year coach Stephanie Kezios won her first conference match.

Condon also handed out 22 assists and served 6 aces.

Rolling Meadows (2-9, 1-3) received 8 kills from Veronica Drabowski 5 from Emily Haeger.

Palatine d. Conant: Junior setter Lauren Kluk collected 30 assists and senior Kelly Sierawski put down 13 kills as host Palatine (7-4, 2-2) posted a 25-17, 22-25, 25-21 victory. Joanne Jablonski added 6 kills for the winners and Heather Suiter 5.

Conant (3-8, 0-4) was led by Chelsea Vanicek (10 kills), Allie Bauch (6) and Jennifer Donnell (5) as setter Kaitlin Chiero handed out 22 assists.

Prospect d. Buffalo Grove: Senior middle blocker Sarah Hunt recorded 7 kills, 6 digs and 2 blocks as host Prospect (3-3, 3-1) posted a 25-22, 26-24 triumph. Sage Rebecca and Mariel Sobey each had 3 kills for the Knights while Shea Gallus (9 assists) and Danielle Siwik (8 assists) set the offense against the Bison (1-10, 0-4).

Barrington d Hoffman Estates: Senior Annabel Perry

and sophomore Peyton Lang each had 8 kills and senior Mallory Combs added 5 for visiting Barrington (4-9, 3-1) in a 25-17, 25-22 victory.

Barringtin senior Lisa Von Drasek and sophomore Julia Thompson each had 4 blocks while senior Madison Lang collected 23 assists against the Hawks (5-6, 1-3).

Junior Amanda Dee produced 14 digs in the backcourt.

The Fillies remain one match behind Schaumburg in the MSL West.