Game TONIGHT

Tonight is the night. the 3rd  annual Illinois High School Girls Volleyball ALL STAR GAME.

It's wild to think its been three years since the idea for a gloified "scrimmage" came to fruition in the first years game.  It was thrown together in less than a month and frankly I was glad it happened and that it ACTUALLY happened.  I found a few local sponsors, had my colleague make a logo for the event, convinced my "higher ups" at the station/school to back up the idea (and forever grateful they did), ask around to locate the top players in the state, find a location and POOF it happened. Less than a month mind you!

Last year was an all hands on deck event for the event with things moving along nicely, more notoriety, mentions from many major media sources and volleyball experts. More knowledge from myself and the sport as a whole, with more attention and detail put into each and every selection. Great jersey donations and great people.

This year will be the best as it should be (if it wasn't there'd be a problem).  The recommendations came from more coaches / press / scouts / families than ever. More press has already written about the game and more press will be in attendance than before. The jerseys are cooler than ever (thanks MIZUNO & Great Lake Center).  The players are bigger stronger faster than ever and the AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY is going to recieve some funds to help battle breast cancer.

Two headlines that press has posted so far that I truly appreciate are:

"SportsTownChicago.com vs Cancer" - Volleywood.net
"Breast Cancer awareness isn't just for October" - Volleyballmag.com

I think there is a theme here.  The games are being played not only to have fun, impress scouts, have coaches and family watch and listen live, give Illinois Center for Broadcasting students hands on training but the participation is for a greater cause...a greater good.  Its not just in October, nor has the fight been won.

I want to thank all involved for what is about to occur this evening, all the parents for allowing their children to participate. Thanks to the girls for choosing to play. The staff for helping put this together. The sponsors for making this game happen. Thank the Illinois Center for Broadcasting for their training and student participation and equipment.

SO Tonight is the night. lets have some fun! Lets break some floorboards, see some dumps, roofs, and tools (have to love Volleyball terms).  

ALL STARS 2012

2012 All-Star Game

TEAM WHITE

11 - Abby Luebbers Libero Mater Dei

3 - Sheila Doyle Libero Benet Academy

6 - Alyssa Baznik  Setter Naperville Central

10 - Erienne Barry Setter St. Charles East

7 -Krista Brakauskus  Setter Providence Catholic

15 - Ciara Hill Outside Hitter Bolingbrook

4 - Jessica Brezwyn Outside Hitter Hinsdale South

9 - Morgan Reardon Outside Hitter JCA

25 - Meghan McDowell Outside Hitter/Setter Hinsdale Central 

12 - Mellisa Deatsch Outside Hitter York

8 -Danielle Davis Outside Hitter Bloomington Central Catholic  Small

13 - Mallory Wilczynski  Middle Block Cary Grove

14 - Kelly Clark Middle Block Mother McAuley x

19 - Logan Walling Middle Block/ Outside Hitter Normal U. High School

5 -Emily Lindemulder   Middle Hitter Chicago Christian 

TEAM PINK

2 - Emily Milligan Libero Nazareth Academy

3 - Kayla Katarzynski  Libero West Chicago

7 -Lauren Carlini  Setter West Aurora 

15 - McKenna Kelsay Setter St. Francis

14 - Sophia Dodd Setter St. Ignatius 

17 - Mallory Salis  Outside Hitter Marist

6 - Tara Blake Outside Hitter Marian Central Catholic

11 - Jane TrzaskaOutside Hitter Glenbard South

18 - Katie Roustio  Outside Hitter O’Fallon

12 - Amanda Dolan Outside Hitter Lincoln Way Central

13 - Corinne Gajcak Outside Hitter Naperville North

5 - Sarah Parker Middle Block Edwardsville

16 - Hannah Lee Middle Hitter Whitney Young

8 -Cindy Zhou Setter Libertyville

9 – Caleigh Ryan Setter Glenbard West