Palatine savors West title

After defeating visiting Conant 28-26, 25-14 on Thursday night, the Palatine girls volleyball players sat down to a potluck dinner.

While enjoying the postgame meal they were also able to feast on some more good news.

The Pirates (19-4, 8-1) learned they had become champs of the Mid-Suburban West, thanks to a two-set victory by Schaumburg (14-8, 6-3) over Fremd (16-6, 6-3).

“The girls were really excited,” said Pirates sixth-year coach Dan Gavin, who has the Pirates playing for an MSL crown for the first time since 1997. “This was one of several goals they set at the beginning of the season and they worked hard to make it a reality.”

The clinching victory made it even more special for Casey Dolen, Amanda Engel, Cayla Kendzior, Val Soderstrom, Cassie Chaplinsky, Taylor Fricano, Alex Heidrich and Sarah Schiffner who were celebrating senior night.

Leading the Pirates on attack were Fricano (10 kills) and junior Hannah Bridier (4). Bridier also served for 5 aces while Kendzior had 4.

Schiffner (12 assists) and Heidrich (3) set the offense while Kendzior (8 digs), Dolen (5 digs), Chaplinsky (4 digs), Fricano (4 digs) and Engel (9 serve receives) sparked the defense. Fricano and Kim Butler each had 2 blocks for the Pirates, who will travel to Hersey on Thursday, Oct. 18 for the MSL championship match.

Daniele Sortino (5 kills), Sarah Manczko (3 kills) and Katie Lomas (3 kills) led the attack for Conant (9-14, 2-7) while Taylor Levitt collected 12 digs.

DeeDee Durr (9-of-11, 3 aces) and Anita Kajewski (7-of-8, 2 aces) led the Cougars at the service line.

Hersey d. Wheeling: MSL East champ Hersey (20-3, 9-0) won its 50th straight division match with a 25-21 25-10 triumph.

Courtney Stedman (6 kills), Anna Mullen-Muhr (5 kills), Erica Hill (4 kills, 3 blocks), Annie Fesl (4 kills), Gabriella Olhava (2 kills) and Michelle Brown (2 kills) led the attack for the visiting Huskies.

Fesl had 18 assists while Taylor Schill collected 22 digs and 3 aces,

Wheeling (7-16, 1-9) was led on attack by Sydney Keith (4 kills) and Cayla Iwaniuk (3).

Teammates Deanna Kuzmanic had 7 assists and Amanda Mullin 5.

Barrington d. Hoffman Estates: Lauren Shectman (9 kills), Christy Roney (7) and Julia Thompson (4) led visiting Barrington (13-9, 5-4) to a 25-15, 25-16 MSL West victory.

Claire Waliczek, who handed out 20 assists and Selina Jaramillo each had 2 blocks for the Fillies while Shechtman served 4 aces and Emily Watkins 3.

Thompson led with 14 digs, followed by Watkins (10) and Waliczek (8).

Becca Stoczynski (3 kills) and Destinee Young (2) led Hoffman (6-21, 0-9).

Marian Catholic d. St. Viator: Marian Catholic won the ESCC match 25-16, 25-14 as the Lions (10-15) were led on attack by Megan Mueller and Mary Cleary, who each had 5 kills.

Molly Ziegler was 41-of-42 setting with 12 assists for the host Lions who also received a pair of blocks by Cleary.

Niles North d. Maine West: Niles North won the CSL North match 25-9, 25-19 as Julia Huinker (4 kills) and Maddie Plantz (3) paced the attack for host Maine West West (4-17, 1-6).

“Julia Huinker had a good match,” said West coach Randy Tiller. “Kassidy Riportella (setter) was outstanding with 10 assists and 4 solid serves. We had passing problems, again.

“Niles North served safe, but fast, and we couldn’t adjust in the first set. We’ll learn from this match and get ready for three matches in Glenbrook North’s tournament (today).”