Russ Rose Then (1999): “Hilary is as exciting of an outside hitter as we’ve had at Penn State in a number of years. She hits the ball very hard, is very explosive and plays the game with a passion, and that’s something we were very excited about.”
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.”
1999 Season (Freshman): Honors and Awards: 1999 National Champion.
Season Recap: Played in 19 of 37 matches (2 starts) and 35 of 125 sets … recorded a kill (no errors) and a block assist against Ohio State (9/6) … averaged 0.60 kills/set on .366 hitting … averaged 1.63 digs/set, good for 6th on the team … recorded 6 total blocks … Started in 2 matches for the Lions, including in the season opener vs. Florida at the State Farm/NACWAA Volleyball Classic …tallied 14 digs and 2 assists in the loss to Florida (8/27) … played in all 4 sets versus Nebraska (8/28), totaling 15 digs and 2 assists … had 3 kills on 5 attacks against Purdue (11/27) … started against Akron (9/3) where she had 5 digs and 2 assists … dug 7 attacks and had 2 solo blocks in win over West Virginia (9/6) … played two sets against UNC Charlotte (9/10) where she had the first 3 kills of her career, along with 7 digs … played 2 sets against Ohio State (10/6) where she posted 1 kill and a block … played 1 set in sweep of Iowa (10/22) where she recorded 5 kills with 2 digs and an assist … in one set against Northwestern (10/30), she recorded 2 kills and a block while hitting .333 … had 3 kills on 5 attacks to hit .600 against Purdue (11/27).
NCAA Tournament: Came off the bench to knock down 5 kills with 3 digs and 2 blocks vs. Robert Morris (12/3) in opening round of NCAA tournament.
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
