Trevian Girls Roundup: Volleyball Breaks in New Home With Undefeated Record

VOLLEYBALL - Even with a new home court this season, New Trier is looking to produce similar results as in the past.

After winning a sectional championship last season, New Trier will play its home games in the school’s main gym. With the expectations as high as ever, the Trevians have started the season 8-0, including a win in their own tournament last weekend.

“We knew we would have a talented team with a lot of potential,” New Trier coach Hannah Hsieh said. “I think the girls have been playing well. I’m proud of how quickly they are starting to play together.”

The Trevians return three girls who played last season, including sophomore Taylor Tashima. Though she started last season, Tashima wasn’t always used as the setter because New Trier ran a 6-2. This year, Tashima will take over setting duties full time.

“She worked hard in the summer to get more consistent and we’re still working hard to find connection with the hitters,” Hsieh said.

Most of the work will have to come in getting in sync with New Trier’s middle hitters. Hsieh says this team is probably the tallest in her 16 years of coaching the high school squad.

The 8-0 start is promising, and Hsieh says this team has already shown an ability to battle back and bring consistent energy to each match. But communication and defense still need improvement.

“I don’t what us to be that big team that just has hitters; I want us to have a full game,” Hsieh said. “I think we definitely have some mobility and movement and I want to make sure that we have a full package.”

CROSS-COUNTRY - New Trier showed off its depth at the Hornet-Red Devil Invite on Sept. 3, taking first place in the 15-team meet. Mimi Smith led New Trier with a third-place finish, crossing the line in 17 minutes, 49 seconds. Jessica Ackerman followed in sixth place at 18:12. The Trevians had four of the top 11 finishers with Julie Jackson (18:48) in 10th and Courtney Ackerman (18:49) in 11th.

GOLF - New Trier suffered a rare loss in a dual match to Highland Park on Sept. 6. The Giants edged New Trier 162-164.

Dana Gullen shot 38 to lead the Trevians, with Nerissa Dehmenberg (41), Elizabeth Szokol (42) and Callie Nelson  (43) also involved in the scoring.

TENNIS - New Trier defeated Deerfield 6-2 in a Central Suburban League match that featured two of the top teams in the conference. Taylor Tamblyn and Iana Panovkina won singles matches for New Trier on Sept. 6.

The Trevians also had a pair of 5-0 victories against Downers Grove South and Naperville Central  on Sept. 3 in the Downers Grove South Invite.

SCOREBOARD

SWIMMING:

Sept. 3 - New Trier 132, Lyons Township 54

VOLLEYBALL:

Sept. 1 - New Trier defeated Libertyville 25-13, 25-16

Sept. 7 - New Trier d. Stevenson 25-20, 27-25