Lincoln-Way East’s players celebrated a victory Thursday night with the usual team cheer.

But they did an extra chant, too.

The Griffins brought out signs and other types of glitter to celebrate the 2,000th career assist for senior setter Maggie Simon.

Big surprise?

“Well, my mom gave me a little hint,” Simon said. “I was excited, though. When I was a scared freshman, I definitely didn’t see myself doing this.

“I’m so glad I got to do it with this team. It’s one of the best teams I’ve ever played with.”

Lincoln-Way East’s Maggie Simon (6) tips the ball over the net against Stagg during the Class 4A Lincoln-Way East Regional championship match in Frankfort on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)

Simon will have a chance to add to her total thanks to a 25-15, 25-21 win for the host Griffins over Stagg in the Class 4A Lincoln-Way East Regional championship match.

Kolby Ross recorded 12 kills to lead Lincoln-Way East (29-8). Klarke Mosby and Chloe Prainito each added four kills, while Charlotte Buck had seven digs and Brooklyn Ritter tallied eight assists.

Amelia Kadamus came up with five kills and Katy Zumerchik contributed four for Stagg (17-16).

Simon, a Missouri-St. Louis recruit, finished with 11 assists for the Griffins, who play Marist (31-5) at 7 p.m. Tuesday in a Rich Township Sectional semifinal. She now stands at 2,004 for her career.

Lincoln-Way East’s Kolby Ross (7) splits the block of Stagg’s Aubrey McCarthy (4) and Maggie Gasienica (12) in the Class 4A Lincoln-Way East Regional final in Frankfort on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)

Lincoln-Way East coach Sean Burns described Simon’s four years on the high school levle as more of a legacy than a career.

“She’s been amazing,” Burns said. “This is all pretty bittersweet. I’m glad to see her doing so well, but her leaving is an end of an era here. She’s been here forever it seems like.

“Maggie has been a leader, for sure. She really matured her senior year, leading by example at practice and during matches. She’s very driven and she wants to win. I’m really proud of her.”

Simon’s skills shows on the stat sheet in different ways. One big one is setting up those kills. Four different players have more than 100 and another is just under.

Lincoln-Way East’s Chloe Prainito (8) comes up with a dig against Stagg during the Class 4A Lincoln-Way East Regional championship match in Frankfort on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)

It comes down to her IQ.

“Yes, she’s a really smart setter,” Burns said of Simon. “Situationally, she knows where the ball should go. She sees the other side of the floor. If there is a gap in the block or a blocker not there, she’s going to give our hitters the ball to have an advantage.”

With Oregon commit Alaina Pollard out for most of the season with an injury, Ross and Mosby have been the top terminators, hitting with impressive power.

Good sets make a lot of the plays look easy.

“It’s very big,” Simon said. “It’s an amazing thing that I can switch up my sets and trust whoever I’m setting. I can go right side, outside, middle back, and that’s a very big thing in volleyball.

“All of our hitters have confidence and trust in each other. That’s just a good mentality. You know, my sets are consistent, but they may differ sometimes. Our hitters know how to work around it. They’re very talented.”

Lincoln-Way East’s Maggie Simon (6) and Maddie Hellrung (5) go up to block Stagg’s Katy Zumerchik (1) in the Class 4A Lincoln-Way East Regional final in Frankfort on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)

Prainito, a junior outside hitter, confirmed that Simon shines beyond the sets.

“As a setter, I feel like it’s really important to have connections and relationships with people on your team,” Prainito said. “I feel like she has that with every one of her hitters.

“It’s not just because of her amazing sets but also because she’s kind, caring, and an amazingly easy person to get to know. She’s the best setter I’ve ever played with, and I’m so happy for her.”

It was enough to make Simon start blushing, but Prainito wasn’t kidding.

“I’m serious,” Prainito said, smiling. “I’m not even joking. I’m really happy that she got her 2,000 assists.”

Tony Baranek is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/31/maggie-simon-lincoln-way-east-stagg-ihsa-girls-volleyball/