Russ Rose Then (2000): “Hilary Sexton is our best outside hitter in terms of hitting the ball with power. She’s a good ball handler and an exciting player to watch. She needs to improve her consistency and cut down on her errors, but no one plays harder than Hilary.”
Russ Rose Now (2025): “Hilary was an explosive, fast twitch player. I loved how hard Hilary hit the ball. I mean, back when she was in club volleyball, there’d be a big crowd watching her court when she was playing because of how dynamic she was. She jumped so well, so she kind of gave hope to the shorter people. She had long arms, like her dad, she could pass very well, she was a terrific defensive player, and she was a very strong attacker. She’s still giving back as a high school and club coach.”
2000 Season (Sophomore): Saw extensive action as an outside hitter, starting 20 of the 32 matches she played in … missed the first 2 matches of the season after recovering from an appendectomy in the preseason … and 106 out of 128 sets … ranked 5th on the team with 2.11 digs/set … averaged 0.60 kills/set on .174 hitting … totaled 11 service aces for the season … led the squad in digs on 8 occasions … recorded a double-double (11 kills on a career-high 25 attacks, and 11 blocks) at No. 18 Texas (9/2) … tallied double-digit digs in 11 matches … posted a career-best 3 service aces vs. Bucknell (9/6) … came off the bench in tourney opener versus James Madison (12/1) and posted 4 digs and an ace … started 2nd round match against Washington State and recorded 10 digs … totaled 6 digs in Regional semifinal versus Colorado State (12/7) … notched a service ace and 5 digs in Pacific Regional final at Southern California (12/9).
Before Penn State: Lettered two years at Crystal Lake Central before transferring to Prairie Ridge High School; was a two-year starter and captain; a “Fab 50” selection by Volleyball Magazine; a three-time all-conference selection; named MVP her junior and senior years; a Chicago Tribune second-team all-state honoree; named Player of the Year by the Northwest Herald; Voted all-area by the Chicago Times.
“Sexton plays volleyball with reckless abandon,” The Daily Collegian, Sept. 20, 2001
“Out to prove the critics wrong,” The Daily Collegian, Nov. 9, 2000
“Sexton shines in relief” — The Daily Collegian, Oct. 7, 1999