The Daily Herald from Arlington Heights, Illinois • Page 24

PAGE 4 SECTION 4 DAILY HERALD KRIDAY, 200:1 C234567891011 Palatine's invite attracts powerful field BY JOHN BUMBALKS llnnM The Palatine Invitational is not only the biggest local boys cross country meet of the fall in terms of numbers, but it also is the biggest in terms of staaire. That fact has never been more evident than this season. The 2003 invite will be play host to the top three ranked Class AA boys cross country squads in the' state on Saturday. Competition begins at 10:50 a.m. at Deer Grove East Forest Preserve.

Boys cross country No. 1-ranked and perennial power York leads the huge 30- team field into the 3-mile race while No. 2 Lyons Township, and the No. 3 Pirates should provide another great race on the early-season schedule. York, which has 22 state titles, is the favorite to run to the win Saturday, but the Dukes have had many close calls in the Palatine meet over the years, including a second-place finish to Lyons Township last season.

Host Palatine has put together one of its best teams in many years with Glenn Morris, Tim Larson, Brian Brodeur and John Lancaster setting the pace. "It should be a good field with a lot of teams out of our sectional competing," said Palatine coach Fred Miller. "It's going to give everybody a chance to get a look at each other, so that is a good thing." After placing 13th in the state last year, York junior Sean McNamara is one of the favorites to win the race. Maine West senior Sinan Khamo heads into the meet undefeated for 2003 while Harrington's trio of Brian Robertson, Tom Root, and Eric Kerchberger have been outstanding for the Broncos so far this fall. Besides York and Lyons' front- runners, Mersey's Matt Fulton will be a runner to watch along with Fremd's Dan Leonard, Maine West's Jeff Ritzema, and Prospect's Mike Murray and Buffalo Grove's Mike Richardson.

While the top three team finishers could be set in stone, teams like Barrington, Prospect, Crystal Lake Central, and Sandburg could be very dangerous in the huge field. Other Daily Herald area teams running Saturday morning are Libertyville, Carrnel, Vernon Hills, St. Edward, Gary- Grove, Prairie Ridge, Dundee-Crown and Elgin. While Palatine could be hard- pressed to catch York's powerful team, the Pirates are looking to topple Lyons Township for the second time this season with hopes of moving up in die rankings. "I would say York is definitely the favorite, there is no doubt about it," Miller said.

"We're planning on running hard, and we're going to keep the race at a good, honest, fast pace." As of Saturday, area teams and individuals will have exactly six weeks to prepare for the 58th state meet at Detweiller Park in Peoria. "York is phenomenal," Miller said. "They (York) had their best one through seven time trial ever this year at die beginning of the season, and they've been doing it for over 30 years." Building blocks' help Lions BY JOHN LEUSCH Fotir years ago, when Chellie DeGelleke and Kate Zydlo were freshmen at St. Viator, they had no idea they would be in the roles they are today with the varsity volleyball team. For starters, DeGelleke wasn't even in the volleyball program.

She played only soccer that year. Meanwhile, Zydlo was playing a middle hitter for the varsity volleyball team. Fast forward to this fall. DeGelleke is one of the top attackers in the area as a Lions' outside hitter. And who is delivering her the ball? Yes, that former middle liitter.

Zydlo is running the Lions' offense for the second straight fall. Not only are the two co-captains succeeding at those positions, they have helped lead the Lions to their finest two years in girls volleyball. Last year, the Lions won a school-record 15 matches. This year, they were off to a 7-2 start through Wednesday's action. "They (DeGelleke and Zydlo) definitely are our building Girls volleyball blocks," said third-year Lions coach Lance Keating.

"Chellie has improved so much, it's been amazing. "And Kate just does everything: She's also one of our best hitters. And she plays solid defense, blocks well and serves well." Zydlo began playing volleyball in sixth grade at St. Theresa in Palatine. But she never set until last fall.

As a sophomore, she was an outside hitter for Keating's first squad at Viator. "We needed a setter and I was interested in it," Zydlo said. "I liked it even though there's more pressure on you." Zydlo and Degelleke agree this is the finest team they've played on at Viator. "By far," said Zydlo, who has played for Circus and Sky High. "We all clicked right away.

We're a lot stronger and work a lot better together. We had double practices in summer camp and really bonded as team. Everyone works so hard." Zydlo is quite a hard worker off the court, too. She is trea- IUHN SI lir.KAI.I). OCTOKI.K 'JIIOV Hersey's Allison Stein lines up a kill.

surer of the Science Club, secretary of the French Club and a member of National Honor Society, National French Society, Ambassador's Club, Students against Destructive Decisions and Students against Cancer. DeGelleke attended Prairie Middle School in Barrington where she played volleyball. But she also excelled in soccer, the sport she had played almost her entire life. DeGelleke played on the frosh-soph soccer team as a freshman at St. Viator and also played club soccer that year.

"But it just wasn't as fun for me as volleyball," she said about switching to the indoor sport her sophomore year when she also began club volleyball with Circus. "I knew volleyball wasn't as well known a sport and 1 like to try new things. It was interesting to me. "There's just something I really like about it. I just can't say exactly what it is." Watching die talented athlete pound powerful kills gives you an idea why it's such a fun sport for her.

Sophomore basketball coach Tom Blenner, realizing DeGelleke's athleticism, even tried to get her to play basketball her sophomore year. But DeGelleke, also a member of the Spanish Club and Students against Cancer, decided volleyball would be her lone pursuit. Like Zydlo, she'd like to play in college. "A lot of people don't think volleyball is that hard to play," DeGelleke said. "But it is.

Four years ago, I never thought I'd be doing (his (leading attacker) for the varsity squad. I guess just all the hard work played off. "This is definitely the best high school team I've been on," she added. "We want to go further than we did last year in the state tournament. We'd like to win a regional and be competitive with everyone we play." Zydlo led the Lions with 528 assists last fall and DeGelleke (team-high 186 kills) was her top target.

"We click real well together," Zydlo said. "It's almost like we read each other's minds." So far SO good: Barringlon and Hersey, the Mid-Suburban League West and East preseason favorites, are lending the pack at the halfway mark of the conference season. The coaches of (lie 5-0 teams like what they've seen so far. Mersey's Nancy LJll, who won her 500th career match earlier diis fall, had her team at 15-2. "We're still very young and have a lot of inexperience," she said.

'But we have a lot of players who are finding themselves on the floor." Lill said that sophomore Dana Van D.iggelen (56 kills) has stepped up in the middle while sophomore Megan Fesl (98 kills) is establishing herself as one of the dominating middles in the league. "Allison Stein (108 kills) and Cara Duffy (79 kills, 135 digs, 35 aces) are two dominant leaders for us with their strong all- around play," she added. "(Seniors) Olivia Marczuk (101 digs, 26 aces) and Amy Dcrango (103 digs) are as tough as nails in the back row for us." And Lill couldn't forget junior Jenny Peterson (59 kills), who had 27 kills last weekend in the Hersey tourney. "Jenny has been outstanding on the right side," the coach said. "She has such a strong swing.

She's really added a whole new dimension. She's extremely quick and has a good vertical leap." As for setting, Emilie Hirt has taken charge. "Wow, she has really stepped up in 5-1 offense," Lill said. "There has been a lot of pressure on her and she has really executed." The two big questions at the start of the season were finding another middle alongside Fesl and the setting position. "So with Dana and Kmilic stepping up, that's been kind of exciting," Lill said.

Barrington coach Karen Traub noted the defense of senior Courtney Naglu has helped spark the Fillies. "Especially the last two weeks," the coach said. "And Missy Franzesu and Christine Sconce have been steady performers in the back row, loo. "Also, Amber Worozaken's all- around game has been a big lift for the team." In the middle, ihe Fillies' graduated )oy Olto and Katie Esbrook. "Kyrslen Sktilborslad has done a good job coming into that," Traub said.

"She's having a good And returning All-Area selections Nellie Spicer and Laura Holloway are two of the most St. Viator's Chellie DeGelleke, left, and Kate Zydlo have helped the Lions begin what may turn out to be their best-ever girls volleyballseason. dangerous weapons in the area. "Overall, the team is forming a great bond and picking up where we left off last year," Traub said. With third place at the West Aurora tournament and a championship at Prairie Ridge, these Fillies have been the most successful in tourney play in Traub's six seasons.

Not Hirting at setting: Despite being her first year on the varsity, junior 1-milie Hirt (304 assists) has made a smooth transition into a leadership role as the Hersey seller. It probably didn't hurt thai she already had experience directing an offense for another varsity sport. As a freshman and sophomore, Hirl has played point guard for Mary Fcmllcy's girls basketball team. "1 think it helped that 1 already knew what to expect playing on a varsily team," Hirt said ab6ut her first year on the volleyball varsity squad. "And of course, being a leader just goes along with setting.

I'm jusl dying to be consistent with all my hitters. "Basketball is my game. But volleyball is a lol of fun, too." Even though it's her first year running the show, Lill said the experience from basketball has been invaluable. "She has that experience from pressure situations in basketball," Lill said. "Her court presence is outstanding.

You would never know this is her first year running the show for us. And her defense as gotten better, too." Ilirt started the season running a 6-2 with sophomore Haylcy McEnerney, who dislocated an elbow last week. Lill expects the 5-foot-8 sophomore, who also played varsity softball last spring, to return to action in about two weeks. She has more them 50 assists mis fall. Tough loss: Rebecca Reedy, who would have been starting middle hitter for St.

Viator this fall, is out for the season with a knee injury. The 5-foot-9 junior will undergo surgery in about a month, according lo Lions' coach Lance Keating. The diagnosis came a day before the Lions' first match this fall. Her twin sister Elizabeth is a 5-foot-8 outside hitter for the Lions. The twins also played basketball last winter.

Good cause: The Hoffman Estates volleyball team will par- licipale in a worldwide walk-a-thon on Sunday, Oct. 5, in a fund-raiser to educate people regarding autism. The 10k walk will start at 9 a.m. The volleyball learn plans lo meet at the forest preserve on Barrington Road (between Higgins and Golf roads) at 8:30 a.m. Money will go lo the Autism Treatment Center of America.

Also, Hoffman Instates is hosl- ing a co-cd alumni "Volleyball" Night Oct. 3 from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the school gymnasium. Warm-ups will begin at 6:30 p.m.

and matches will start at 7 p.m. You can sign up with a learn or individually and be placed on a team ($10 to enter). Contact girls varsily coach Amy Longmore (847-755-5771) for more information. DailyHeiald AROUND THE WORLD AND ACROSS TOWN NEWSPAPER IN EDUCATION SCHOOL For activities, study guides and answers, visit the School Zone link at nie.dailyherald.com. week of the NFL season Arizona Cardinals at St.

Louis Rams Kansas City Chiefs at Baltimore Ravens Tennesse Titans at Pittsburgh Steelers San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders Dallas Cowboys at New York Jets Philadelphia Eagles at New England Patriots at Washington Redskins Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers San Francisco 49ers at Minnesota Detroit Lions at Denver Broncos Indianapolis Colts at New Orleans Saints Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears 1. Determine the Great Lake cilies in which a will bo played. 8. Beyond the 20! The Nashville(TN) Titans could sail lo (heir game by cruising norlh on the River to its confluence with the River, then to the month of this river where it meets the River. The Titans would go upstream to Pittsburgh to see the Golden Triangle area where (lie River and ihe River meei.

2. Identify (he teams that will travel to a bordering stale lo play. 3. Name the cilies that will he visited by a team from their own stale. 9- September 23 1806,1 ewis Clark returned to ihc cily from where their expedition was launched on May 14,1804.

Winch host team might salute their feat at a half-lime observance? 4.The autumnal equinox occured at 6:47 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23rd. Write the time of today's sunrise and sunset in your city. Sunrise is a.m.

Sunset is p.m. 10. Beyond the 10! Determine which team will fly parallel to the San Andreas Fault going to their game. Hope the flight is not too shaky. 5.

At noon Tuesday, the Sun was directly over what imaginary line on the Earth's surface Tropic of Cancer, Equator orTropic of 11. Locale the lake in Louisiana (he Jacksonville Jaguars will fly Capricorn? over going to (heir game. Lake 6. Vasco Balboa discovered the Pacific Ocean on September 25, What lake will ihc San Francisco 49ers cross going to their game? 1513, so let's take a cniisc in his honor. The Chargers could sail out of Bay, north on the Ocean, through the Bay.

Strait, and into What lake in central Missouri will the Phoenix Cardinals cross? Lake of ihc 7. Beyond (he 40! Beginning in 1769, the Spanish Padres built a series of 21 missions in California. How many missions could the 12. What slate capital will the Detroit Lions see going to (heir San Diego Chargers visit between home and destination? game? This weekly geography qui? draws its questions and answers from the NFL season schedule. Teachers, contact Diane Ackerman at nieiadailyherald.com to request the answer page link.

It is not necessary to have any knowledge of football. Copyright hy Alfred J. Wilson, Pigskin Geography, Southlake, Texas, 76092. Quiz answers are available Fridays on the NIE website. Iv.