Exciting Boys Volleyball Season Ends for Richards, Oak Lawn

The boys volleyball season came to an end this week for both Richards and Oak Lawn.

On Monday, Brother Rice beat Richards 25-18, 25-15 in the semifinals of the Lincoln-Way East Regional, while Lincoln-Way East defeated Oak Lawn 25-19, 25-14 in the other semifinal match.

While the teams’ postseason runs were cut short, the Bulldogs and Spartans certainly have no reason to hang their heads.

Richards finished with a 19-10 record overall and a 14-2 mark in the South Suburban Conference, good for second place behind Oak Forest (Richards was the only team to beat Oak Forest in conference this year).

Bulldogs coach Troy Grevengoed noted that his team’s conference record was the best the program has had since he took over in 2004. Grevengoed also was proud of the fact that the Bulldogs didn’t lose to any team more than once.

Grevengoed said his seniors—Ryan Sautkus, Nadeem Razick, Mutasem Daineh and Robert Fleming—will be greatly missed. But Grevengoed said he is excited about the team’s future.

Outside hitters Jeremy Norton (junior) and Nick Costa (sophomore) will be back next season to provide the power. The two combined for 363 kills this season. Grevengoed also noted that sophomore right-side hitter Jack Kendryna will return and junior right-side defensive specialist Ramiro Ledesma will come back next season as the team’s libero.

“Although we are losing some talent, the future still looks good for the 2012 season for the Bulldogs,” Grevengoed said in an email.

Norton, Fleming, Sautkus and Daineh all made the SSC All-Conference team, while Razick made the All-Conference Special Mention Team. Norton, who led Richards with 52 aces and 206 kills, was named First-Team All-Area by the SouthtownStar. Razick had 546 assists, while Daineh had 74 blocks and 127 kills, and Fleming led the team with 75 blocks.

Grevengoed also noted how bright the future is for Costa (157 kills). “He will be very, very good in two years,” he said.

Oak Lawn finished the season 16-17 overall and 11-5 in the South Suburban Conference, good enough for fourth place.

“I think that we surprised some teams in conference,” first-year varsity coach Ryan Skendzel said in an email, noting that the Spartans took first-place Oak Forest to three games twice and second-place Richards to three games twice.

Senior outside hitter Pat McGuinness and sophomore outside hitter Marc Hansen made the All-Conference team.

“Pat was our team leader and he will definitely be missed next year,” Skendzel said in an email, noting that McGuinness had 150 kills in conference play.

Skendzel pointed out that Hansen was second on the team in kills, despite starting out the year at libero.

“I definitely look forward to having Marc for the next two years. He will definitely be a great asset to our program and we are ready to build the team around him next year,” Skendzel said.

Junior setter Ali Sheikh also received praise from his coach.

“For being a first-year varsity setter, (Sheikh) surpassed our expectations of where he would be at the end of the year. We look forward to seeing the strides he will continue to make,” Skendzel said.

McGuinness, Chris Duran, Joe Gasienica and Alex Barahona all will graduate, but Skendzel is optimistic about the future.

“We have a great group of juniors who worked hard in practice this year and will contribute next year,” said Skendzel, who also noted the improvement of sophomore Sean Dunne.

Richards Softball Squad Advances

Richards advanced to the De La Salle softball regional championship game with a 20-0 victory over Hyde Park on Tuesday, as Kailie Tobin pitched a no-hitter and went 4-for-5 with a two-run home run and three RBIs. The Bulldogs (29-2) will play in today’s regional championship game. Here is the Class 4A girls softball bracket.

Oak Lawn’s Girls Track Standouts Honored

The Oak Lawn girls track team handed out its awards. Junior Katarzyna Szczurek was named the team’s MVP, setting personal bests in the 3,200 (12:29) and the 1,600 (5:53).

“(Szczurek) is very talented, hardworking and competitive,” head coach Jeremey Cryan said in a news release.

Senior Caitlyn Kean won both the Sportsmanship Award and the Lady Spartan award, while Victoria Jones was the Most Valuable Sprinter and Top Newcomer. Faith Barker was named the Most Valuable Thrower, while Valerie Georgelos was named the Most Valuable Jumper/Vaulter and Isabella Rodriguez was named the Most Improved.