Area volleyball notes & scores for September 21

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Area volleyball scores

• St. Thomas More 2, Armstrong 1
23-25, 26-24, 27-25

Julianne Kerr led the Sabers with 17 kills and 13 kills. Kolbie Busboom contributed 10 kills in the three-set thriller.

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• Georgetown-Ridge Farm 2, Urbana U-High 0
25-15, 25-11

Freshman Lauren Braun tallied two kills in the non-conference home match on Monday. Chloe Burton served up two aces and Ava Roberts led the team with five digs on defense.

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• Marshall 2, St. Joseph-Ogden
25-22, 25-20

Lillian Ross led the Lions with 10 kills and five digs in the road win. Ali Sheets led the team on defense with nine digs.

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• Fisher 2, Lexington 0
26-24, 25-16

Bunnies' Teagan Murray had three blocks and five kills in their home match against the Minutemen. Senior Reagan Kilman led the team offense with 10 kills

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• Paxton-Buckley-Loda 2, Oakwood 0
25-19, 25-19

Panthers' Ellie Dirks and Hallie Johnson bashed 10 and 9 kills, respectively. Logan Loschen served four of the team's 11 aces. Bella Martin paced the Comets' offense with six kills. The Oakwood defensive effort kept the game close with 46 digs. Ainsley Lyons, Aria Elliott and Martin were responsible for eight each.

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• Hoopeson Area 2, Judah Christian
25-13, 25-23

• Centennial 2, Rantoul 0
25-20, 25-19

• Heritage 2 Chrisman 0
25-10, 25-11

• Heyworth 2, Unity 0
25-11, 25-18

Other scores from around the state

• Martinsville 2, Arcola 0
25-12, 25-12

Tenley Thomas, Averi Kutz, and Aymara Leal logged two kills each on their home court in the non-conference match on Monday. Reese Miller had six assists.

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• Argenta-Oreana 2, Tuscola 0
25-20, 25-16

Tuscola senior Sawyer Cleland let the Warriors with five kills. Bella Wishard added four more in the non-conference road loss. Argenta-Oreana's Khloe Hartrich delivered a match-high eight kills. Freshman setter Maryn Hill led the Bombers with nine assists.

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• Joliet Catholic 2, Plainfield South 0
25-17, 25-18

• Ottawa Marquette 2, Somonauk 1
25-18, 27-25, 25-16

• Quincy 2, Jacksonville 1
22-25, 25-15, 25-16

• Pontiac 2, Hersher 0
29-27, 25-15

• Teutopolis 2, Greenville 1
25-22, 19-25, 25-21

• Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley 2, Clifton Central 0
25-21, 25-11

• Columbia 2, Gibault 0
25-12, 25-11

• Clark 2, North Lawndale 1
25-6, 18-25, 25-18

• Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin 2, Milfors 0
25-20, 25-14

• Cissna Park 2, Beecher 0
25-21, 25-13

Hey, volleyball coaches ~

Keep your fans and community informed. Send The Sentinel your match scores and player stats to sports@oursentinel.com to be included in our volleyball scoreboard and recaps.

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Area volleyball scores for September 17

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Area volleyball scores

• Urbana 2, Bloomington 1
25-23, 19-25, 25-18

Sharrea Smith finished with four kills, two digs, and an ace. Margaret Weber had five digs.

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• Peoria Notre Dame 2, Champaign Central 0
25-22, 25-21

• Centennial 2, Richwoods 0
26-24, 25-21

Other scores from around the state

• Prairie Central 2, Cornerston Christian 0
25-9, 25-17

Hawks' Miranda Hari strategically placed 14 kills with Mia Elliot and Charlee Popejoy collecting eight service points each. Mia Elliott led the team at the net with a pair of solo blocks.

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• Armstrong 2, Milford 0
25-11, 25-9

• Arthur-Lovington 2, Cerro Gordo 1
16-25, 25-15, 25-19

• Cissna Park 2, Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin 0
25-16, 25-15

• Illinois Valley Central 2, Brimfield 0
25-14, 27-25

• Salt Fork 2, Chrisman 0
25-14, 25-12

• Coal City 2, Peotone 0
25-23, 25-16

• Jacksonville 2, Decatur Eisenhower 0
25-12, 25-10

• Nashville 2, West Frankfort 0
25-21, 25-13

• Mt. Vernon 2, Carbondale 0
25-18, 25-15

• Maroa-Forsyth 2, Olympia 1

Hey, volleyball coaches ~

Keep your fans and community informed. Send The Sentinel your match scores and player stats to sports@oursentinel.com to be included in our volleyball scoreboard and recaps.

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Area volleyball notes & scores for September 16

St. Joseph-Ogden volleyball downs Danville in two sets. Meanwhile, around the state, Minooka, York, and Quincy Notre Dame also pick up September victories.

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Area volleyball scores

• St. Joseph-Ogden 2, Danville 0
25-14, 25-21

Vivian Smith led St. Joseph-Ogden's offensive attack with six kills. Junior Addi Stevens chipped in another five in the non-conference victory.

"From the start, we came out with a postive mindset and played consistently in many areas," Stevens said. "We had great defense in the back row, which gave our setters all three options in the front row. We also served well and that was a very big part of our game tonight. Throughout the game our coaches could see the court, giving all hitters options on where to put the ball."

Alivia Learnerd distributed 11 assists for SJO.

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• Champaign Central 2, Bloomington Central Catholic 1
25-23, 18-25, 25-14

Saints' hitter Kampbell Niepagen collected 14 kills and Lia Humphrey added 10, but it wasn't enough to help BCC push past the Maroons in their road match on Wednesday.

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Other scores from around the state

• Minooka 2, Rosary 0
25-12, 25-10

Senior Courtney McCarthy was responsible for 17 of Minooka's 26 passes across both sets. Classmate Lily Mayer led the team with nine kills and Charlotte Matejka finished with six.

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• Quincy Notre Dame 2, Payson Semour 0
25-8, 25-14

• Providence Catholic 2, Aurora Central Catholic 1
22-25, 25-7, 20-20

• Williamsville 2, Warrensburg-Latham 0
25-13, 25-14

• York 2, St. Viator 0
25-19, 25-19

• Hall 2, St. Bede 1
26-24, 17-25, 26-24

• Bureau Valley 2, Knoxville 0
25-20, 25-19

• Hinckley-Big Rock 2, Ashton-Franklin 0
25-11, 25-14

• Johnsburg 2, Harvard 0
25-7, 25-13

Hey, volleyball coaches ~

Keep your fans and community informed. Send The Sentinel your match scores and player stats to sports@oursentinel.com to be included in our volleyball scoreboard and recaps.

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Area volleyball scores & highlights for September 15

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Area volleyball scores

• Urbana 2, Centennial 0
25-12, 25-11

Janasia Dillon led the Tigers with four kills to even out Urbana's record to 4-4. Senior Sophia Sheyko-Frailey, who pounded four aces, matched Omega Lugano on offense with three kills. Lugano also contributed four of Urbana's 21 digs.

"Aidyn Leming had a strong presence in the back row with a total of 9 digs," head coach Sarah Fisher said after the Big Twelve conference road win. "The team had 10 aces throughout the two matches and 13 kills, holding a great offensive line."

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• St. Joseph-Ogden 2, St. Teresa 1
25-27, 25-13, 25-21

Behind the big swings of Vivian Smith, who finished with a team-high nine kills, the Spartans survived a three-setter. Addi Stevens and Emerson Williams added seven kills each to help SJO improve to 10-4. SJO's offensive success was powered by passes from Alivia Learnerd and Megan Kearney, who delivered 15 and 12, respectively.

Tenacious defenders Ava Alexander and Hadley McDonald kept the ball in play with 18 digs each. Reagan Wheatley blocked two shots, and Lyla Pattono recorded the team's other stuff.

St. Teresa was paced offensively by senior Avery Harrison with six kills. Gianna Schook distributed 18 passes for the Lady Bulldogs.

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• Champaign Central 2, Richwoods 0
25-8, 25-20

• Maroa-Forsyth 2, Unity 0
25-17, 25-19

The Rockets allowed 19 kills in the non-conference away match while the Trojans' defense thwarted 32 of their kill attempts. Maroa-Forsyth's Sydney Pottala led the team's effort with 13 and Jacy Ravenscraft chipped in six more. While Unity drops to a 6-8 record, the Trojans move closer to .500 with six wins against ten losses. • Mahomet-Seymour 2, Taylorville 0
25-15, 25-17

• Armstrong 2, Deland-Weldon 0
25-15, 25-18

Other scores from around the state

• Cerro Gordo 2, Arcola 0
25-10, 25-15

Offensively, the Purple Riders mustered just four kills across two sets. Arcola sophomore Reese Miller led the team defensively with five digs. Addyson Williams kept three more balls in play. Teammates T Thomas and A Kutz recorded one block each.

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• Prairie Central 2, Olympia 0
25-20, 25-15

Miranda Hari collected 13 service points and delivered three aces in the Hawks (9-7) non-conference win. Senior outside hitter Kinley Elliott finished the two-setter with seven kills. Lexi Donovan was credited with 15 kill assists and Charlee Popejoy delivered 11 digs.

Hannah Sedam and Lexi Donovan recorded a solo block and one assist a piece.

Olympia's Grace Small hammered eight kills for the Spartans, who drop to a 8-7 record. Myra Books was responsible for 15 of the team's 38 digs.

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• Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin 2, Schlarman 0
25-8, 25-20

• Breese Central 2, Freeburg 1
25-15, 21-25, 25-22

• Brooks 2, Hubbard 0
25-20, 25-14

• Huntley 2, Burlington Central 1
19-25, 25-14, 25-13

• Iroquois West 2, Chrisman 1
14-25, 25-15, 25-21

• Cissna Park 2, Georgetown-Ridge Farm 0

• Salt Fork 2, Hoopeston Area 0
25-14, 25-6

• Kewanee 2, Mendota 0
25-16, 25-16

• Macomb 2, Farmington 0
25-19, 25-16

• Paxton-Buckley-Loda 2, Tuscola 0
25-22, 25-16

• Williamsville 2, Mt. Pulaski 0
25-19, 25-10

• Beecher 2, Momence 0
25-9, 25-22

Hey, volleyball coaches ~

Keep your fans and community informed. Send The Sentinel your match scores and player stats to sports@oursentinel.com to be included in our volleyball scoreboard and recaps.

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High School Sports | St. Joseph-Ogden Spartans

St. Joseph-Ogden fall sports award winners

The fall of 2025 was one to remember for St. Joseph-Ogden athletics. Varsity letters were awarded to 129 student-athletes across sports and activities.

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ST. JOSEPH - St. Joseph-Ogden High School didn’t just wrap up a fall sports season. It closed the book on one of the most memorable stretches of athletic success the program has seen in years.

Last week, the Spartans announced 129 varsity letter winners from fall sports and activities, a number that speaks not only to wins and trophies, but to depth, commitment and consistency across the athletic department. From packed Friday nights on the football field to championship-caliber finishes on the cross country course and the soccer pitch, St. Joseph-Ogden athletes left their mark throughout the fall of 2025.

Football set the tone early.

After absorbing injuries to key players at the start of the season, the Spartans could have folded. Instead, they regrouped, leaned on grit and tenacity, and found their rhythm when it mattered most. St. Joseph-Ogden finished 8-5 and authored an impressive postseason run that reminded opponents the Spartans are rarely an easy out in November.

It was the kind of season that doesn’t show up fully in a record book. It showed up in long practices, next-man-up performances and a squad that stayed connected through adversity. For the players who earned letters, it was a season built on determination as much as talent.

Distance running brought statewide recognition.

Both the boys and girls cross country teams delivered top-10 finishes at the IHSA state meet in Peoria, continuing SJO's place among Illinois’ elite programs. The boys finished seventh overall, while the girls claimed sixth, a testament to months of disciplined training and steady progression.

Cross country success rarely comes overnight. It is built mile by mile, often before sunrise and long after the school day ends on the roads through and around town. The state finishes reflected not only strong front runners but complete teams that could pack together and score when it mattered most.

Soccer might have been the headline act.

Behind the combined scoring punch of senior Zach Harper and junior Tyler Hess, the Spartans rolled through much of their schedule, overwhelming opponents with pace, precision and confidence. St. Joseph-Ogden finished the season 24-2-2, with the only blemish coming in a hard-fought sectional championship loss to Williamsville.

Under head coach Chris Stevens, the Spartans put together a program-best 22-match unbeaten run, winning 20 matches and tying two. It was the kind of stretch that defines a season and leaves a lasting standard for what Spartan soccer can be.

While championships and records grab attention, the heart of the announcement rested with the 129 student-athletes who earned varsity letters. Those letters represent early mornings, late nights, and the willingness to balance academics with the demands of high-level competition. They also represent teammates who may not always appear in box scores but are essential to a program’s success.

Below is the complete list of award winners and varsity letter recipients at St. Joseph-Ogden High School. Each fall sport and activity contributed to that total, reinforcing the idea that St. Joseph-Ogden athletics is not built on one team or one season, but on a culture of excellence.

FOOTBALL

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Spartan running back Wyatt Wertz celebrates as he lands in the end zone for a touchdown against Pontiac. The senior shared this season's team Offensive Award with Kaden Wedig.

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Team Awards

MVP – Kodey McKinney
MIP – Jonathon Moore
Defensive Award – Coy Hayes
Offensive Award – Wyatt Wertz & Kaden Wedig
Scout Team Award – Holden Hausle
Special Teams Award – Lucas Smith
Lineman Award – Brennan Oleynichak
Spartan Team Player Award – Tim Blackburn-Kelley

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Letterwinners

Matt Alexander, Sr.
Tim Blackburn-Kelley, Sr.
Will Franklin, Sr.
Charlie Hale, Sr.
Coy Hayes, Sr.
Ryker Lockhart, Sr.
Kodey McKinney, Jr.
Jackson Mohr, Sr.
Jonathon Moore, Sr.
Brennan Oleynichak, Sr.
Colton Overstreet, Sr.
Logan Rosenthal, Sr.
Landon Smith, Sr.
Lucas Smith, Sr.
Hunter Van Meenen, Sr.
Wyatt Wertz, Sr.
Willis Canamore, Jr.
Jameson Ennis, Jr.
Paityn Mann, Jr.
Maddux Musselman, Jr.
Cameron Wagner, Jr.
Brayden Waller, Jr.
Kaden Wedig, Jr.
Liam Carter, So.
Caleb Courter, So.
Landon May, So.
Lane McKinney, So.
Mason Osterbur, So.
Logan Umbarger, So.
Ryder Van Meenen, So.
Owen Wall, So.
Lucas Waters, So.

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VOLLEYBALL

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Emma McKinney, Emerson Williams, Hadley McDonald and members of the SJO volleyball celebrate a point during set one of their regional semifinal match against Unity. Emerson received the team's Offensive Award this fall.

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Team Awards

MIP – Ally Schmitz
Defensive Award – Katie Ericksen
Offensive Award – Emma McKinney
Varsity Spartan Award – Emma Wells
JV Spartan Award – Greta Goldenstein
Freshman Spartan Award – Ella Buhs

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Letterwinners

Addi Childers, Sr.
Katie Ericksen, Sr.
Emma McKinney, Sr.
Ally Schmitz, Sr.
Emma Wells, Sr.
Lily Ahart, Jr.
Brynn Ikemire, Jr.
Alivia Learned, Jr.
Hadley McDonald, Jr.
Addi Stevens, Jr.
Emerson Williams, Jr.
Ava Alexander, So.
Megan Kearney, So.
Atleigh Miller, So.
Vivian Smith, So.
Raegan Wheatley, So.

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TENNIS

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Maddie Wells makes solid contact while play doubles in SJO's road match at Urbana in September. Starting wrestling season last month, look for the senior to qualify for the IHSA girls' state tournament this February.

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Team Awards

MVP – Sami Kelso
MIP – Shelby Warns
Mental Attitude Award – Madison Farber

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Letterwinners

Claire Hartman, Sr.
Samantha Kelso, Sr.
Ava Midkiff, Sr.
Ainsely Rhoton, Sr.
Lily Rice, Sr.
Karleigh Spain, Sr.
Maddie Wells, Sr.
Madison Farber, Jr.
Audrie Helfrich, Jr.
Sophie Schmitz, Jr.
Shelby Warns, Jr.
Avarie Dietiker, So.
Kenley Ray, So.
Nora Buckley, Fr.

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SOCCER

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Junior Yadie Acosta-Reyes dribbles the ball down the field in the Spartans home playoff match against Unity. Look for the midfielder to return next fall to help SJO duplicate their 2025 season greatness.

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Team Awards

MVP – Zach Harper
Offensive Award – Tyler Hess
Defensive Award – Steven Newman
Freshman MIP – Luke Dunn
Coaches Award – Quinn Stahl

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Letterwinners

Rudra Chaudhary, Sr.
Zach Harper, Sr.
Michael McDaniel, Sr.
Branson Pearman, Sr.
Quinn Stahl, Sr.
Hadley Sweet, Sr.
Yadiel Acosta-Reyes, Jr.
Lizzie Clark, Jr.
Jaxson Colvin, Jr.
Skyler Graham, Jr.
Nicholas Harris, Jr.
Tyler Hess, Jr.
Waylon Jones, Jr.
Steven Newman, Jr.
Jaxon Potts, Jr.
Miles Atwood, So.
Hunter Cler, So.
Luke Dunn, Fr.
Lucas Stevens, Fr.
Caleb Taylor, Fr.

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MARCHING BAND

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Emily Bird plays clarinet while performing with the SJO Marchng Band during the halftime show during the football team's home game against Paxton-Buckley-Loda.

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Band Awards

MVP – Sara Bytnar
Up and Comer Award – Ramsay Arnold
Spirit Award – Delaney Nekolny
Leadership Award – Sydney Steinbach
Spinner Award – Arianna Pecchenino
Heartbeat of the Band Award – Gregory Wells

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Letterwinners

Emily Bird, Sr.
Sara Bytnar, Sr.
Claire Hartman, Sr.
Cooper Kietzman, Sr.
Michael McDaniel, Sr.
Patrick McMahon, Sr.
Delaney Nekolny, Sr.
Kaleb Peoples, Sr.
Sydney Steinbach, Sr.
Carlee Taylor, Sr.
Zain Bialeschki-Hua, Jr.
Isabella Turner, Jr.
Cole Beckett, So.
Tyler Bonny, So.
Patrick Clark, So.
Aubrey Matheny, So.
Connor McMahon, So.
Alyssa Robinson, So.
Nayeli Steele, So.
Ramsay Arnold, Fr.
Reid Bewley, Fr.
Bailey Blakley, Fr.
Brady Blunier, Fr.
Jade Gains, Fr.
Arianna Pecchenino, Fr.
August Rosser, Fr.
Ryan Schmitz, Fr.
Taylor Vaughn, Fr.
Greg Wells, Fr.
Gwen Welsh, Fr.

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GOLF

Team Awards

MVP – Asher Pruemer
MIP – Trevor Ames

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Letterwinners

Trevor Ames, Sr.
Wade Clark, Sr.
Nathan Daly, Sr.
Asher Pruemer, Sr.
Graham Ray, Sr.
Devan Swisher, Sr.
Garrett Loschen, Jr.
Finn Miller, Jr.

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SIDELINE CHEERLEADING

Team Awards

MIP – Addison Wright
Spirit Award – Abby Reynolds
Lexi Barbour Award – Addison Walsh

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Letterwinners

Iris Davis, Jr.
Leah Gaines, Jr.
Faith Jackson, Jr.
Peighton Riem, Jr.
Ava Smoot, Jr.
Abby Reynolds, So.
Samantha Ryan, So.
Addison Walsh, So.
Sorena Welsh, So.
Presley Ideus, Fr.
Addison Wright, Fr.

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CROSS COUNTRY

Team Awards

Boys MVP – Colin Burnett & Lance Retz
Girls MVP – Grace Bressner
Boys MIP – Sam Zadeh
Girls MIP – Grace Bressner
Tim Mies Effort Award – Nate Farney
Ashley Wright Effort Award – Allie Bott
Rick Walden Most Consistent Award – Colin Burnett

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Letterwinners

Lance Retz, Sr.
Sydney Steinbach, Sr.
Cyrus Zadeh, Sr.
Abby Bello, Jr.
Colin Burnett, Jr.v Nate Farney, Jr.
Kyla Franckey, Jr.
Mark Harbourt, Jr.
Aiden Hundley, Jr.
Kiah Riesel, Jr.
Grace Bressner, So.
Hunter Dilley, So.
Eli Franklin, So.
Nathan Hinkel, So.
Tessa Walker, So.
Sam Zadeh, So.
Ramsay Arnold, Fr.
Charlene Barbee, Fr.
Adam Bello, Fr.
Allie Bott, Fr.
Brady Johnson, Fr.
Caylah Roberts, Fr.
Taylor Vaughn, Fr.

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More SJO Sports Articles

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St Joseph Ogden varsity letter winners 2025, St Joseph Ogden fall sports awards list, SJO football cross country soccer 2025 season, IHSA state cross country St Joseph Ogden results, St Joseph Ogden High School athletics feature

A Look Back |Spartan volleyball falls in regional title game

Photos: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

St. Joseph-Ogden volleyball players Emerson Williams and Hadley McDonald celebrate a point for SJO during the third set of their regional championship game against the Unity Rockets. After a dominating 25-14 victory in the first set, the Spartans battled to the end in the final two sets, losing 25-21, 25-22. The volleyball team finished a tough campaign with a 13-21 record. Here are a dozen more photos from their best performance of the season.

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This season's Spartan Volleyball Team included seniors Adelyn Childers, Katie Ericksen, Emma McKinney, Ally Schmitz, and Emma Wells. Juniors on this year's squad were Brynn Ikemire, Alivia Learned, Hadley McDonald, Addi Stevens and Emerson Williams. The roster rounded out with five sophomores, including Ava Alexander, Megan Kearney, Atleigh Miller, Vivian Smith and Raegan Wheatley.

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2025 Season Schedule & Results

8/25 @ Maroa-Forsyth (L) 2 - 0
8/28 @ Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin (L) 2 - 0
9/2 Mahomet-Seymour (L) 2 - 0
9/3 @ Armstrong (L) 2 - 0
9/4 @ Teutopolis (L) 2 - 1
9/6 Centralia (L) 2 - 0
9/6 Pana (W) 2 - 1
9/6 Taylorville (L) 2 - 0
9/6 Neoga (W) 2 - 1
9/6 Pana (L) 2 - 0
9/9 @ Casey-Westfield (W) 2 - 1
9/10 Oakwood (L) 2 - 0
9/15 Hoopeston (W) 2 - 0
9/16 @ St. Teresa (W) 2 - 0
9/17 Danville (W) 2 - 0
9/22 @ Marshall (L) 2 - 1
9/23 Tuscola (W) 2 - 1
9/25 @ Tolono Unity (L) 2 - 0
9/30 Monticello (L) 2 - 1
10/1 Cissna Park (L) 2 - 0
10/2 @ Prairie Central (L) 2 - 0
10/7 Paxton-Buckley-Loda (W) 2 - 0
10/8 @ Salt Fork (L) 2 - 1
10/9 @ Pontiac (L) 2 - 0
10/14 Bloomington Central Catholic (L) 2 - 0
10/15 Villa Grove (W) 2 - 0
10/16 @ Rantoul (W) 2 - 0
10/18 Kankakee (W) 2 - 0
10/18 Newark (L) 2 - 0
10/18 Beecher (L) 2 - 1
10/18 Rock Island (W) 2 - 1
10/21 @ St. Thomas More (W) 2 - 1
10/23 Illinois Valley Central (L) 2 - 0
10/28 Tolono Unity (L) 2 - 1

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Williams, Alexander lead SJO volleyball to sweep over Hoopeston

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The Spartans swept all singles and doubles matches. SJO's singles and doubles squads were flawless, taking key wins on the road.

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ST. JOSEPH - St. Joseph-Ogden bounced back in commanding fashion Monday night, defeating Hoopeston Area in straight sets in front of a supportive home crowd. Just days removed from a 2-0 loss to Oakwood, the Spartans regrouped and rolled to a 25-15, 25-10 sweep, ending the Cornjerkers’ hopes early and extending Hoopeston’s losing streak to eight matches.

Outside hitter Emerson Williams powered the offense with six kills across the two-set match. Addi Childers chipped in four kills, while Hadley McDonald and Ally Schmitz added three apiece. On defense, Emma McKinney anchored the back row with six digs, and senior libero Katie Ericksen followed with five. McDonald rounded out her solid night by contributing four more digs.

The Spartans also found momentum at the service line. Ava Alexander was unstoppable, landing four aces in her seven serves. McDonald backed her up with four aces of her own in 13 attempts, giving SJO a decisive edge in both sets.

With the victory, the Spartans improve to 4-8 overall and look ahead to a road trip tonight to face St. Teresa in Decatur. The Bulldogs (2-9), who opened the season with seven straight losses, are seeking to gain traction. SJO then returns home Wednesday to host the Danville Vikings. Hoopeston falls to 1-9 with the loss.

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TAGGED: SJO volleyball win over Hoopeston, St. Joseph-Ogden vs Hoopeston volleyball, Emerson Williams SJO volleyball, Ava Alexander aces SJO, Hoopeston losing streak volleyball

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SJO volleyball drops road match, gears up for grueling week ahead

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St. Joseph-Ogden volleyball drops first match of the season 25-13, 25-17. Emma McKinney leads with six digs. Home opener vs. Mahomet-Seymour on Sept. 2.

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BISMARCK - The St. Joseph-Ogden volleyball team continued its early-season road swing on Thursday, falling in straight sets to Bismarck-Henning, 25-19, 25-16.

Emerson Williams paced the Spartans with four kills and six assists, while setter Emma McKinney dished out 11 assists to go with two kills. Ally Schmitz contributed two kills and three digs, and both Hadley McDonald and Addi Childers added two kills apiece. Childers also led the blocking effort with two at the net.

Defensively, libero Katie Ericksen anchored the back row with 11 digs. Despite the effort, SJO (0-2) mustered only seven kills in each set and couldn’t find the consistency to extend the match.

The Spartans face a demanding schedule next week, starting Saturday with a matchup at Mahomet-Seymour. The Bulldogs, last year’s Class 3A state champions, also visit SJO for the Spartans’ home opener on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the Main Gym.

From there, Williams and company hit the road again, traveling to Armstrong-Potomac on Wednesday before heading to Teutopolis on Thursday. The week wraps up with a trip to the Mattoon Volleyball Tournament on Saturday.

Bismarck-Henning (1-1), which lost its opener to Unity, heads to Danville on Tuesday before hosting Villa Grove on Thursday.

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Match Leaders – SJO at Bismarck-Henning

• Emerson Williams: 4 kills, 6 assists
• Emma McKinney: 11 assists, 2 kills
• Ally Schmitz: 2 kills, 3 digs
• Hadley McDonald: 2 kills
• Addi Childers: 2 kills, 2 blocks
• Katie Ericksen: 11 digs

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TAGS: St. Joseph-Ogden volleyball 2025 schedule,SJO vs Bismarck-Henning volleyball recap, Mahomet-Seymour vs St. Joseph-Ogden volleyball preview, Spartan athletics volleyball coverage

St. Joseph-Ogden Volleyball 2025 Results

Date	Opponent	Location	Result	Score	Record
Aug. 26	@ Maroa-Forsyth	Road	L	13-25, 17-25	0-1
Aug. 28	@ Bismarck-Henning	Road	L	19-25, 16-25	0-2

Spartans struggle in 2-0 non-league loss at Maroa-Forsyth

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St. Joseph-Ogden volleyball drops first match of the season 25-13, 25-17. Emma McKinney leads with six digs. Home opener vs. Mahomet-Seymour on Sept. 2.

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Maroa - The St. Joseph-Ogden volleyball team fell 2-0 to the Maroa-Forsyth in a non-league matchup Monday, struggling offensively in a 64-minute contest.

The Spartans, playing in Maroa, dropped the first set 25-13 and the second 25-17. St. Joseph-Ogden managed just four kills in its season opener, with contributions from Addi Childers, Ally Schmitz, Vivian Smith, and Emerson Williams.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

SJO's Ally Schmitz passes the ball to the front row during last season's home match against Casey-Westfield. Schmitz moves into a leadership role this season as one of five seniors on the Spartans' varsity roster.

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Emma McKinney paced the Spartans defensively with six digs, while Emerson Williams and Hadley McDonald added five apiece. Alivia Learned contributed the team’s only ace of the match.

SJO enters the season with a young roster, featuring just five seniors. Team leaders this season include Adelyn Childers, Katie Ericksen, Emma McKinney, Ally Schmitz, and Emma Wells, supported by seven juniors and five sophomores.

Despite Monday’s setback, the Spartans are looking to improve on last year’s campaign. The 2024-25 team finished with a 16-19 overall record and just two Illini Prairie Conference wins, placing eighth in the league.

St. Joseph-Ogden will look to rebound Thursday, August 28, in a non-league contest against the Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin Blue Devils, who also opened the season 0-1 following a 2-0 loss to SJO rival Unity. The Spartans’ home court opener is set for Tuesday, September 2, against defending Class 3A state champion Mahomet-Seymour.

Maroa-Forsyth, now 1-0, prepares for its next match against Sullivan, which enters its non-league contest with a 1-0 record following a 2-0 win over Meridian.

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