Marist's Andrew Kopinski, a Palos South grad, gets ready for an attack against Glenbard West on Thursday. Photo by Jeff Vorva
Area Sports Roundup: Marist knocks off Glenbard West in battle of nationally ranked volleyball teams
By Jeff Vorva
Staff Writer
Power on power didn’t work the first time around.
Power here and there, mixed in with some savvy soft shots, did the trick the second time.
In a battle of two of the top 11 teams in the nation, according to the USA Today/American Volleyball Coaches Association May 11 rankings, No. 11 Marist won a rematch over No. 3 Glenbard West with a 25-21, 25-23 victory May 12 in Chicago.
The first time the two teams met, many of Marist’s hearty kill attempts were blocked back toward its side of the court in a 25-20, 25-15 setback at the Brother Rice Smack Attack on April 23.
This time around, there was a mix of power and well-placed rolls and tips to keep the Hilltoppers (30-3) guessing.
“We wanted to have a little more variety and create some openings,” Marist coach Jordan Vidovic said. “We wanted to force some of the plays and force them to do some things, which we didn’t do last time. We didn’t pressure them enough the first time.”
Glenbard West played without its top player, Danny Dorsey, in the first matchup, but the Hilltoppers were at full strength last week.
Marty Canavan led the RedHawks (31-2-1 after the match) with 10 kills and six digs, while Kellen O’Keefe added eight kills and six digs. Setter Christian Teresi had 32 assists and Brendan Schoeberl had 12 digs.
Marist libero Brendan Schoeberl chases down a ball against Glenbard West on Thursday in Chicago. Photo by Jeff Vorva
Crazy week for Crusaders
The rough-and-tumble Chicago Catholic League Blue baseball title went to Brother Rice, as the Crusaders finished with a 16-2 record to win the title outright. They shared the championship with St. Rita and St. Laurence last year.
“It’s always a goal to win the CCL — it’s a goal of ours,” third-year Crusaders coach Sean McBride said. “It’s a great thing for our school and for our team. It’s something they strive for every year.
“It’s the best league in the Midwest and to win it is an accomplishment.”
It was a wild week for Brother Rice (28-4 entering this week).
The Crusaders took an 11-1 lead into the bottom of the fifth against St. Laurence on May 9, but gave up nine in that frame and sweated out a 13-11 victory in Burbank.
They picked up the league clincher the next day with a 10-0 five-inning home victory over the Vikings. Christian Holmes and Nick Daugherty homered for Rice.
It was back to craziness May 12 with an 11-11, 10-inning tie with Lemont in the Do It Stevie’s Way Tournament. The game was suspended because of darkness.
The Crusaders won a 4-2 decision over Loyola May 14 to close the CCL season.
Sunday?
Well, the Crusaders didn’t rest. They finished the Lemont game and scored four runs in the 12th as Holmes and Daugherty drove in runs, and hung on for a 15-13 win.
Later that day, they faced bitter rival Marist and won, 14-5. Junior Bryce Nevils had three hits including a home run.
It was quite a week.
“It’s an out-of-this-world experience to be a part of this team,” said Holmes, a De La Salle transfer and Kansas State recruit. “I love this. It’s amazing.”
Brother Rice’s Amir Gray signals safe but was called out on a play at the plate in a 10-0 victory over St. Laurence on May 10. Photo by Jeff Vorva
SXU softball players heralded
Saint Xavier University senior catcher Brittany Schultz was named the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Year and earned First Team All-CCAC and head coach Erin Mollohan-Corrao claimed the CCAC Coach of the Year award.
Schultz is the first Cougar to win the Player of the Year award since former All-American Nicole Nonnemacher won it in 2016. It is the first Coach of the Year for SXU since Myra Minuskin won the award in 2015 and 2016.
Other first team members were senior outfielder Lyda Robinson, junior outfielder Sarah Bowen, junior infielder Morgan Haefling and freshman pitcher Julianne Claas.
Sophomore infielder Alexus Reese was named Second Team All-CCAC.
More awards could be coming as the Cougars (36-6, ranked 25th in the nation by NAIA coaches) are in the NAIA Opening Round Tournament, which got underway May 16 in Lawrenceville, Georgia.
Local News
Oak Lawn trustee says village needs state grocery tax
Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle An Oak Lawn trustee said that Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s proposal to eliminate the state’s grocery tax will be costly for the village. Trustee William “Bud” Stalker (5th), accompanied by Mayor Terry Vorderer, recently returned from a fact-finding trip to Springfield where they learned more about the governor’s proposal to eliminate…
Palos Heights recognizes volunteers
Spread the loveBy Nuha Abdessalam Palos Heights handed out awards last week recognizing the services provided by volunteers through the years. The proclamations, which were read aloud during the city council meeting April 16, were a testament to the city’s volunteers and were handed out as part of Volunteer Recognition Week. Volunteers were cited for…
Boys Volleyball | Richards weathering struggles after run of success
Spread the loveBy Xavier Sanchez Correspondent After a tough weekend at the Smack Attack tournament, Richards got back into the win column with a two-set victory over Eisenhower in a South Suburban Red match. The Bulldogs made quick work of the Cardinals, winning 25-16, 25-15 on April 23 in Oak Lawn to snap a five-match…
SD218 puts on annual Arts Extravaganza
Spread the loveBy Kelly White The arts have become a major portion of the curriculum Community High School District 218. Showcasing those many talents, the Friends of CHSD 218’s Education Foundation proudly hosted its 15th annual Arts Extravaganza on April 5 at Eisenhower High School in Blue Island. “The Arts Extravaganza is a great event…
Gaming licenses to be tougher to get in Orland Park
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva It’s going to take longer to receive gaming licenses in Orland Park. The village board passed an ordinance April 15 that would allow table service businesses open at least 36 consecutive months to apply rather than the previous 18 months, and extended the probationary period to 18 months instead of…
Palos Park passes $16 million budget
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva The Palos Park Village Council approved the 2024-25 budget, which totals a little more than $16.3 million at the April 22 village council meeting. According to village documents, it represented an increase of a shade over $603,000 from last year. The village is expecting $13.4 million in revenue and $1.86…
Fire damages Al Bahaar Restaurant in Orland Park
Spread the loveFrom staff reports Orland Fire Protection District firefighters responded to a fire Monday evening at the Al Bahaar Restaurant, 39 Orland Square Dr. At first, restaurant owners suspected the fire alarm was triggered by a malfunction, but as firefighters inspected the restaurant to reset the fire alarm, they detected a burning smell. “What…
Orland Park bans ‘gas station heroin’
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Products with what some people call “gas station heroin” will not be allowed to be sold in Orland Park. At the April 15 meeting, the village board voted 6-0 (with trustee Michael Milani absent) to prohibit kratom novel synthetic and psychoactive drug businesses to be sold in the village. “If…
Year of growth | Evergreen Park enjoying inaugural boys volleyball season
Spread the loveBy Xavier Sanchez Correspondent After almost 70 years of existence as a high school, Evergreen Park finally has a boys volleyball team. The Mustangs are playing their inaugural season with a junior varsity squad, with some matches being played at the varsity level. Head coach Brian Zofkie is leading this group with assistant…
Neighbors
As state continues to inventory lead pipes, full replacement deadlines are decades away
By COLE LONGCOR Capitol News Illinois Clongcor@capitolnewsillinois.com Lead pipes in public water systems and drinking fixtures have been banned in new construction since 1986, when Congress amended the Safe Drinking Water Act, but they are still in use across the U.S. and in Illinois. The presence of lead pipes has persisted due in part to…
Capitol Briefs: State unveils report on racial disparities among homeless populations
By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com Tackling homelessness requires addressing racial injustice, according to a new report commissioned by the state’s Office to Prevent and End Homelessness. The report found that Black people are eight times more likely to experience homelessness than white people. Remedying this disparity, according to the report, would require “long-term…
Flooding is Illinois’ Most Threatening Natural Disaster. Are We Prepared?
by Meredith Newman, Illinois Answers Project April 16, 2024 This story was originally published by the Illinois Answers Project. The electricity in Mary Buchanan’s home in West Garfield Park was not working – again. The outage lasted four days, starting just after a crew dug up her front lawn to install a check valve in…
Bears pitch $3.2B stadium plan, but Pritzker still ‘skeptical’ despite team’s $2B pledge
By DILPREET RAJU & JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com The Chicago Bears laid out a $3.2 billion plan for a new domed stadium on Chicago’s lakefront on Wednesday afternoon, painting pictures of future Super Bowls and other major public events while pinning their hopes on yet-to-be-had conversations with the governor and lawmakers. The Bears…
Regulators weigh future of gas industry in Illinois, while clamping down on Chicago utility
By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO – Natural gas is fueling a fight between consumer advocates, a powerful utility company and the state. Amid competing advertising campaigns, accusations of mismanagement and state decarbonization efforts, the Illinois Commerce Commission is starting a process that will shape how the state regulates the increasingly controversial industry. …
Komatsu mining truck named 2024 ‘coolest thing made in Illinois’
By COLE LONGCOR Capitol News Illinois Clongcor@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – A mining truck manufactured by Komatsu was crowned the winner of the 2024 “Makers Madness” contest, earning the title of “the coolest thing made in Illinois” at the Governor’s Mansion Wednesday. The truck was one of more than 200 entries in the 5th annual contest hosted…
Giannoulias calls for disclosure of lobbyist contracts
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – For decades, lobbyists in the Illinois Statehouse have been required to report how much they spend wining, dining and entertaining lawmakers. Currently, though, there is no law requiring lobbyists to disclose how much they are paid by corporations, industry groups or other special interest organizations. That…
Illinois Senate advances changes to state’s biometric privacy law after business groups split
By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – It’s been more than a year since the Illinois Supreme Court “respectfully suggest(ed)” state lawmakers clarify a law that’s led to several multi-million-dollar settlements with tech companies over the collection of Illinoisans’ biometric data. On Thursday, a bipartisan majority in the Illinois Senate did just that,…
Illinoisans can now get documents notarized online
By ALEX ABBEDUTO Capitol News Illinois abbeduto@capitolnewsillinois.com Illinoisans who need a notary public can now access those services online through a new “E-Notary” portal launched by the secretary of state’s office. This process is one of the latest initiatives of Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias’ ongoing effort to modernize the office and its services. Notaries…
Prairie Band Potawatomi becomes 1st federally recognized tribe in Illinois
By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com Nearly 200 years after Native Americans were forced out of Illinois, the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation has become the first federally recognized tribal nation in the state after a decision from the U.S. Department of the Interior last week. The move represents the first victory in the tribe’s…