Girls volleyball: Hersey makes Pumpkin finale

If Hersey's girls volleyball team was looking for momentum heading into Thursday's Mid-Suburban League championship match, the Huskies found it Saturday in Des Plaines.

For the first time in years, they advanced to the title match of the 16-team Maine West Pumpkin Invite.

Sandburg won the championship 25-18, 28-26 after Hersey defeated Lyons 25-23, 25-23 in the semifinals.

The Huskies also netted a 25-18, 25-23 triumph over Riverside-Brookfield in the quarterfinals and defeated Lockport (25-22 20-25 25-21) and Conant (25-16, 25-8) in Friday's pool play.

"It was our best finish at this tournament in a long time," said Hersey coach Nancy Lill, whose team raised its record to 24-5 and will host Schaumburg (21-12) for the MSL crown. "Give Sandburg credit. They are a good team. We adjusted to some things they were doing out there. We battled. Beating Lyons in two sets was an unbelievable match."

Junior Liz Fuerst had an MVP-like invite, putting down 53 kills with 42 digs.

"Liz was phenomenal," Lill added. "She played at a high level."

Other top attackers for the Huskies were Gabri Olhava (36 kills), Kelly Hill (25), Caity Strozewski (12), Zoe Strozewski (6) and Courtney Stedman (6), who directed the attack with 120 assists.

Junior Paige Pannozzo led the back row with 75 digs while Olhava had 12 blocks.

Wheeling (13-16) went 1-4 in the invite. The Wildcats were led on attack by Timber Terrell (31 kills), Deanna Kuzmanic (18), Lani Greenberg (16) and Domenica Montensin (10). Sabrina Semeria handed out 49 assists while Alexa Laureano had 81 digs.

Hoffman Estates (0-5 in the tourney) was led on attack by Jennie Nailor with 15 kills while Kaitlyn Imburgia and Lauren Schrader each had 21 assists.

Conant took second in the Bronze pool with wins over Resurrection 20-25 25-16 25-23 and Jacksonville 25-23, 25-23.

Alissa Wachal (8 kills), Jorie Wachal (8), Katie Lomas (6) and Rachel Delanois (6) led the Cougars' attack against the Bandits while Katie Lomas had 16 digs followed by Dhara Patel (12) and DeeDee Durr (10). Setter Elisa Ambrose handed out 24 assists.

Grayslake North Invite: Fremd went 5-0 to give coach Curt Pinley another 20-win campaign as the Vikes won the championship with a 25-15, 25-13 victory over Warren.

Lane Hindenburg (43 kills), Ysabel Lee (20), Hope Schroeder (19) and Mackenzie Bednarek (15) led the attack for Fremd (22-6). Aubrey Stegich collected 63 digs and Carly Roberts handed out 109 assists.

At Glenbard East: Schaumburg coach Jeanette Pancratz recorded another 20-win season as the Saxons (21-12) notched wins over West Aurora and Barrington.

Leading the MSL West champs on attack was Oyinkan Akinola (43 kills) and Mallory Gerber (10) while Hannah Moore had 82 digs. Jada Blackwell collected 62 assists and Megan Hayes had 15.

Elgin tourney: Leyden went 2-3 to take fourth place in the six-team event.

The Eagles (15-17) were led by junior outside hitter Emily Steininger (35 kills, 5 aces), sophomore setter Autumn McGee (22 kills, 19 aces, 78 assists) and senior middle hitter Camille Lazzarotto (22 kills).

Rolling Meadows (8-26) notched its only win over the host school 25-23, 19-25, 15-6.

Hannah Mickey (29 kills), Maddie Sellergren (24), Gabby Johns (19), Jenny Srnak (14 kills) and Nora Rasche (12 kills) led the Mustangs' attack set by Megan King (44 assists) and Megan Mich (44 assists).