My Illinois Top Ten of 2019
It’s mid-January and I’ve digested my favorite ten memories, experiences, sets, plays, and matches I’ve witnessed and experienced in 2019. 10. Coach Connections new and old – Bryan Paliza – New Trier Tournament: Third Weekend on the job and I…
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Continue ReadingIt’s mid-January and I’ve digested my favorite ten memories, experiences, sets, plays, and matches I’ve witnessed and experienced in 2019.
10. Coach Connections new and old – Bryan Paliza – New Trier Tournament: Third Weekend on the job and I bump into one of the many coaches I have had the pleasure to coach with. Bryan Paliza, Sky High Coach was at the New Trier tournament and we got caught up since we both coached USAV Boy’s
High Performance in 2012. New Trier won the tournament in a three-set barn burner against Loyola Academy. Shout outs to Craig Dyer (Creighton University) Dan
Ames (Head Coach, Aurora University) Kyle and Melissa Masterson and Keith Kujawa (AdversityVBC), Sue Keck (First Alliance VBC) who I saw out and about this season!
9. I know where Newark is now.
The back to back state champs, Newark controlled the IHSA 1A bracket and the court in running away with the title, again. Don’t let the size fool you, their district is small but mighty as they are a dynasty in the making.
8. The Wheaton Warrenville South Story. I first met the Tiger’s Head Coach Bill Scheier when he coached WWS to state titles in the early 2000s but now coaching the women, he instilled a winning demeanor into a women’s program that was lacking one. Making it to the 4A state finals for this program was a great accomplishment for this team and Coach Scheier.
7. Favorite Teams: I enjoyed watching my local teams play (Nazareth Academy, Lyons Township) to Marist, Wheaton Warrenville South, etc. loved the energy West Aurora gave this year as some other “under the radar” programs like Lemont, Huntley, Dakota, Kaneland, Rockford Lutheran. And Yes, I was a fanboy of Oak Park-River Forest!
6. Wheaton Classic: First 24 team tournament I wrote about this season. GREAT TOURNAMENT! Marist over Benet (???) In first of many matchups this season.
5. Asics Tournament: It’s Illinois Volleyball versus the Midwest in a battle for supremacy. A fun Tournament that gathered many ranked teams and players from across the midwest from Nebraska, Iowa, Kentucky and beyond!
Favorite Players:
4. Brook and Bree Borum – The show they put on at States was unparalleled in comparison to other performances. They are THAT GOOD!
3. Hattie Monson – Benet Academy is one of those teams I kept on seeing and Hattie Monson impressed me every time.
2. Camryn Hannah – One of my favorite players, you could just watch her grow as a player from the beginning of the season at home against OPRF, to the Asics Challenge and even in a losing effort at States, Camryn is the quintessential MVP ‘ last=”], whether setting or hitting, she knows no limits of play. Clemson will be lucky to have her next year.
1. Alexis Rodriguez wins State, Gold Medal at World Championships
Witnessing her skill on the court and playing at a level above all others, Alexis lifts her Sterling High School team to new heights and a State Championship. SHe didn’t disappoint at the press conference either, sharing her rewards with her team and respect for her community she loves to play for. Step back to August and the beginning of the season when she was miles away winning the Gold for the USAV National Junior team. Alexis came home and jumped right into the high school season, never missing a beat.