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).  

Business as usual?

Greetings from Sunny Elmhurst Illinois! The TRI-Man team of Sleeter, JoePitt, and Alex "I wish I was J." Lo covering a cross-conference match-up between warriors of Willowbrook and the Dukes of York. Alex got a little misty-eyed walking in through the doors of his alma mater...it was actually a little uncomfortable, Sleeter and I agreed. Especially when he started hugging random faculty. It happened! And Alex isn't here to prove otherwise!

Tonight was Senior night at York. Now, the last few Senior nights myself or Alex has attended, the festivities have seemed to get the better of the home team. Tonight, though, this was not the case. York showed why they are one of the top ranked teams in the state.

To the Warriors credit they started set number one keeping stride with the Dukes. M. Klaassen, J. Conley, and strong play from Libero S. Hernandez were the brightest spots on this young team that plays in a tough conference.

When you play a team like York it becomes a good measuring stick for you. And the Warriors have nothing to be afraid of. Set one went to York 11-25. Set two went quickly. With the set and match firmly in hand Coach Iverson of York began switching her starters out. Sophmores R. Iverson and A. Nosek making the biggest impact of the underclassmen. In the end the Dukes of York (gosh it's fun to type that) took set two 8-25.

Our Voolii Lifestyle (www.vooliiboom.com) trend setter of the match was actually very special as we had the four Seniors from York stop by our broadcast booth (FINE! It's a table...let us dream). These four ladies are captains on the team and it isn't hard to see why Leadership on the court. Skill in offense and defense. The ability to play call, make adjustments, and know when to let someone else make the play. C. Rose, M. Semmelhack, K. Gallagher, S. Schrenker led their team to victory tonight and hopefully to a deep playoff run.

I know this is my first year calling volleyball and I haven't seen all the teams in the state. But, if I could go out on a limb. I am picking York as my personal favorite to go all the way. They have the power up front, the clear leadership, and a deep bench that is balanced from top to bottom.

We are only a couple weeks away from the playoffs...Time will tell if I am right.

Till next time 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