Russ Rose Then (2001): “Hilary was banged up last year. I feel Hilary’s ability to contribute is highly-correlated with her health, and she battled some obstcles in that area last year. Nobody is more passionate about volleyball and competition than Hilary. She is a fierce, competitive player that we hope will be able to stay healthy becuase she is someone we count on for solid passing and defensive skills. Overall she is our most explosive player both defensively and offensively.”
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.”
2001 Season (Junior): Academic All-Big Ten … played in 96 of 108 sets … ranked 3rd on the team in digs/set with 2.10 … one of the top passers/defensive players on the Nittany Lion squad … posted 10 kills, 9 digs, and a career-best 6 blocks in season-opening win vs. Villanova (8/31) … tallied first double-double of the season with 11 kills and 11 digs vs. Stanford (9/4) … recorded 8 kills and hit .389 vs. Purdue (9/29) … totaled 12 digs in five-set reverse-sweep upset win over No. 5 Wisconsin (10/27) … had 11 digs and 2 aces at Illinois (11/9) … posted 10 digs in 3-1 win over Indiana (11/10) … tallied 13 digs in 5-set win over Michigan (11/16) … had 12 digs in five-set win at Minnesota (11/24) … tallied 6 digs in 3-set NCAA 1st Round win over Fairfield (11/30) … had 5 digs in 3-set loss to UCLA in NCAA 2nd Round.
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