Rosary High School @ Chicago Christian

Greetings from Sunny Palos Heights, Illinois! Intrepid reporters JoePitt and Alex in town for a match up featuring last years' state champion Chicago Christian Knights who welcomed the Rosary High School Royals.

It was sorta nice for me (Joe) as it was the first time I had seen the Knights since I started covering volleyball for SportsTownChicago. The Royals came out strong in both sets. The Knights hung in for the first set behind strong play from M. Kamp, B.DeRuiter, and J.Krysheld. Also, trading service errors for three straight points helped too. The great communication and precision passing from the Royals showed that in volleyball height and power can only take you halfway there as the Royals won set one 25-21.

Between sets Alex mentioned that central to a comeback would be communicating better. Well apparently the Royals were listening as they ran away with set number two 25-13. Outside hitter, senior A. Wegman won a unanimous decision as the player of the game as she was clearly and emphatically the most dominate player on the court tonight.

Coming up:

Tomorrow KGriff and I (JoePitt) will be at Jones College Prep as they welcome Kennedy High School.

ANNNNNNNND...I forget where Dr. Pete and ALo will be. So I apologize.

Till Tomorrow True Believers,

Mahalo

-JoePitt

I wish I had caught a freebie... Mother McAuley @ St. Francis

Last night Alex, myself, and new guy Luigi (no relation to Mario...I checked) were in sunny Wheaton, Illinois. Tonight marked the first night I got to call a game from a press box! OK, you caught me it was a balcony, or mezzanine, or something a few feet higher than the regular bleachers. It was also a very special night for us at SportsTownChicago as it was the one year anniversary of our stations coverage of girls H.S. volleyball.

The gymnasium was bustling as a crowd gathered to obviously recognize this achievement and watch some v-ball. The home team St. Francis "Spartans" put on quite a show for what, again I assume, was our broadcast team. A live pep band...and not your normal pep band either! A full on rock band complete with full drum kit, three vocalists, 2 guitars, and a partridge in a pear tree. I think there was a bassist; seriously though, who cares about the bassist...I know Alex doesn't. Wouldn't stop talking about his hatred for them. And since he isn't here to defend himself direct angry comments to him. During the team intro the "Spartans" even threw t-shirts and mini volleyballs to the crowd.

The Mother McAuley "Mighty Macs" were in town for a non conference match up featuring all you would expect from two top tier teams; say that five times fast. And fast is what we got! Both teams came out swingin' trading points and, admittedly a few errors. G. Churney and H. Gable for St. Francis were responsible for keeping St. Francis in it with some punishing blows. Breaking through the walls, roofs, and any other block you could think of. Alas, the speed of the "Macs" won out and they took set one 25-20.

Set two started out with the "Macs" leading the race. D. Wise of the "Spartans" would have none of it though. Bringing her team back. Sadly on this night when the effort put forth would have been enough, it was not to be. Set two went to the "Macs" again to the tune of 25-20.

A split decision in the press box, or balcony (pfft...let a man dream) led us to a very rare occurrence. TWO players of the game! R. Arundel and L. Scanlon. Both ladies exhibiting the skill we love to see and the determination to not give in to a rallying opponent. Big kills late in each set didn't hurt either...

So there you have it Mother McAuley wins in 2. A pep Rock Band playing Bon Jovi. Alex hates bassists. We welcome Luigi (or Lou to his friends...he asked us to call him Luigi). And I didn't get a freebie. A spectacular night.

Bookmark us so you can follow our sweet action volleyball adventures here at SportsTownChicago

Till next time True Believers,
Mahalo
-JoePitt

Day-glo jerseys...so bright! Guerin Prep@ Aurora Christian

09/14/11

Tonight Alex and I (JoePitt) were in sunny Aurora, Illinois and wouldn't you know it...a volleyball game broke out at Aurora Christian High School. We figured since we were in the neighborhood it might be a good idea to do our jobs and cover it.

The Guerin Prep Gators were in town to take on the Aurora Christian Eagles and tonight went the full distance. Both the JV and Varsity squads went 3 sets each. The Varsity lady Gators wore their blue on day-glo jerseys which Alex and I were convinced were a distarctionary tactic used by their coach. It worked as anytime they appeared near your vision...BOOM! Your eyes zoomed over to them.

And it might have worked for the first set as the Gators won 25-17. Strong play by their outside and middle hitters was the key here. From getting blocks and strong kills the combo of R.Bartnicki to S. Brodner was something I saw alot of in the first set. Alex might have too...but I'm writing this post so he can keep his comments to himself!

But you can only look at day-glo for so long before becoming immune to it and Aurora Christian recovered to take set two 24-26. Guerin Prep took the lead early and had set and match point down the stretch but let off the gas and couldn't close it out and this allowed Captain T. Knauf and her fellow lady Eagles to fly high in the face of defeat. Storming back from a four point deficit and forced a third set behind the power of outside hitters F. Montalbano and E. Neely

Nothing gets me more pumped then a winner take all scenario and when it includes two competitors with skill and determination, where mistakes can make or break you...whooooboy watch out, that's a thing of B-E-A-uty. The gators came out of the gate fast but the Eagles caught on quick, shook the day-glo out of their eyes, and took home the victory for their home crowd 16-25.

It was mos def a barn burner and I love games that go the distance. Determination, stamina, skill, tenacity...all on display! And Aurora Christian's team captain T. Knauf was our Player of the Game. Showing the true qualities of a captain in leading her fellow Eagles from a set one loss to take the last two. Setting up a number of opportunities for teammates to get the kill. The decision was a quick one for us tonight.

Tomorrow (09/15) its a Thursday double header for us

Dr.Pete and KGriff will be live for Regina@ Mt. Assisi

JoePitt and Alex will head for sunny Wheaton, Illinois for Mother MaAucley@ St. Francis

Till tomorrow True Believers,

Mahalo

-JoePitt

Tough Competition

Last season Dr. Pete and I had the pleasure to call Lyons Township in the State Finals. In the semi-finals they faced York, a West Suburban Silver Conference rival. Those two teams are still very talented this year.

Enter Glenbard West.

Tonight Jay Vosburg (who has just joined our volleyball team!) and I had the opportunity to call the Hilltoppers game against O.P.R.F. Glenbard West won to improve their record to 14-1 on the year. The teams only loss coming in a tournament final against conference foe Hinsdale Central. With four strong teams in the conference, this will be a very interesting race for a conference title.

More importantly the Hilltoppers reminded us of another team from last year's state tournament: Chicago Christian. Glenbard West is a young team that has some strong senior leadership. Facing tough competition day in and day out will help prepare for the tough run that is the state playoffs. Unlike every other sport, every school makes the playoffs which means there are more wins required to win State than in any other sport.

As for O.P.R.F. the Huskies showed some promise throughout the match. They lost in 2 sets, 15-25 and 14-25, yet they had a lead in each game. They started strong in each game, but then couldn't keep up the high level of energy required to pull out a victory. There is no doubt that this team will gain valuable experience throughout the regular season and that tough competition could give them an edge come playoff time.

In other volleyball news we are just days away from our official one year anniversary of our volleyball coverage! We've come a long way since that time and we'll be announcing big news in regard to our volleyball coverage very soon so check back soon to find out more!

-Alex