St. Joseph-Ogden outlast Unity in three-set battle to secure regional title berth

Emma McKinney (left) and Reese Wheatley celebrate a point for the St. Joseph-Ogden volleyball team in their home match against Maroa-Forsyth. McKinney was credit with 23 assists and led the team in digs in SJO's regional semifinal against Unity on Tuesday.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

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OAKWOOD - In a high-stakes, do or stay home, semifinal showdown, St. Joseph-Ogden eked out a three-set win over Unity on Tuesday at the Oakwood Regional, outscoring the Rockets 25-17, 19-25, 25-16 to secure their spot in Thursday’s regional title game against St. Thomas More. Despite Unity's strong season-ending push, the Spartans’ balanced attack and relentless defense proved decisive.

St. Joseph-Ogden (18-18), who came into the match with momentum from a two-game win streak, saw strong play from outside hitter Tinley Ideus leading the offense, forcing Unity’s defense to work overtime. Ideus, a standout for SJO, amassed 10 kills and added 10 digs, demonstrating her versatility and impact on both sides of the ball. Senior Ava Seggebruch complemented Ideus with seven kills and 10 digs.

Unity, however, did not go down easily. After falling in the first set, the Rockets adjusted their defensive strategy. Their efforts paid off in the second set, where they clawed back, winning, 25-19. Capitalizing on their defensive stands and taking advantage of Spartan errors, Unity found its footing to force a third set.

But the Spartans regrouped for the final frame, tightening up defensively and refocusing on their attack. Junior Emma McKinney played a critical role as a setter, tallying 23 assists for the evening and orchestrated an offense that saw contributions from multiple hitters. Ally Schmitz added four kills and nine digs, while Addi Childers and Reese Wheatley, who led in team blocks with two, each chipped in two kills, ensuring that SJO’s attack remained dynamic and unpredictable.

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Ava Seggebruch pass the ball during SJO's home match against Maroa-Forsyth. The Spartans face a formidable St. Thomas More squad in their regional title match.

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Defensively, Katie Erickson anchored the back row for the Spartans, tallying nine digs and serving two aces to keep the Rockets off balance. Ultimately SJO sealed their advance, winning the set with a 25-16 win.

Tuesday’s victory was particularly sweet for St. Joseph-Ogden, as Unity had previously bested them in straight sets, 25-23, 25-18, on September 24. This time, with a title game on the line, the Spartans showed marked improvement in their attack and defensive consistency, areas that had hampered them in the previous encounter. The win sends St. Joseph-Ogden to Thursday's regional final against a formidable opponent in St. Thomas More, who triumphed over Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin in their own semifinal matchup.

The Sabers will present a stiff challenge for SJO, having defeated the Spartans convincingly, 25-10, 25-12, earlier in the season. However, with renewed confidence and a balanced lineup, the Spartans look ready to give St. Thomas More a tougher contest this time around. Thursday’s title game, set for 6 p.m., will likely be an intense matchup as the Spartans seek their first regional title since their 2022 three-set win over BHRA.

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Editor's correction: In our original story, we wrote that SJO had not won a regional title since "their 2019 trip to the Class 2A Final Four". That was incorrect. The article has been updated to reflect the Spartans won their most recent title in 2022 at the Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin regional.

Keywords: St. Joseph-Ogden volleyball, Unity Rockets, Oakwood Regional volleyball, Tinley Ideus, Ava Seggebruch, St. Thomas More volleyball, Illinois high school volleyball playoffs

Stress-free Thanksgiving tips for those short on time this holiday season

StatePoint - While gathering for Thanksgiving is intended to be a joyous occasion, everyone who has hosted the feast knows it can also come with a lot of stress, and expenses.

The good news is that whether you’re a Gen Z-er hosting your first Friendsgiving on a budget or you’re a busy family preparing for guests, there is a lot to be thankful for this year.

That’s because this holiday season, Sam’s Club’s private brand Member’s Mark is unveiling an innovative pre-cooked Thanksgiving meal that is ready to serve in under two hours, priced under $100 for up to 10 people and available to be delivered. Crafted with mindfully made premium ingredients, the meal offers convenience without compromising quality, ensuring a stress-free, memorable and delicious Thanksgiving. Here are the traditional Thanksgiving favorites that the meal includes:

• Member’s Mark Smoked Turkey

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• Member’s Mark Pumpkin Pie

• Member’s Mark Sweet Potato Mash

• Member’s Mark Brussels Sprouts

• Member’s Mark Yeast Dinner Rolls

• Member’s Mark Macaroni and Cheese

• Member’s Mark Cranberry Crunch Salad

Along with purchasing a convenient Thanksgiving meal, here are a few additional ways to eliminate stress around holiday prep:

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3. Rely on Friends and Family: Even if you have the main meal covered, it’s still nice to get a little help from guests, who will likely ask if they can bring something. Don’t be shy about asking them to contribute an appetizer or beverage.

For more information on the Member’s Mark Holiday Meal, visit samsclub.com.

By eliminating holiday hassles, you can focus on what really matters, giving thanks and spending time with the people you care about.

Franzen leads Spartan girls at regional cross country meet, next stop sectionals for SJO

TUSCOLA - St. Joseph-Ogden’s girls’ cross-country team secured a second-place finish at the Tuscola Regional on Saturday at Wimple Park, earning a spot in the upcoming sectional meet at Lakeland College. Senior standout Savanna Franzen led the Spartans, placing fourth overall with a time of 18:11.90. Her strong performance continued a season that saw her receive an offer to run at Eastern Illinois University.

Franzen was supported by two standout freshmen, Grace Bressner and Tessa Walker, who both ran career-best times. Bressner finished sixth with a time of 18:29.91, while Walker placed eighth, clocking in at 19:09.89. Their impressive performances highlight the team's youthful depth, which has bolstered St. Joseph-Ogden’s success this season.

Sophomore Abigail Bello also set a personal record, finishing 19th with a time of 20:19.70, further helping the Spartans secure their second-place team finish. Senior Sydney Steinbach rounded out the team’s scoring, placing 42nd with a time of 22:22.94.

Unity High School claimed the team title with 40 points, led by individual champion Kate Foltz, who dominated the race with a time of 16:02.82. Unity’s Emily Decker and Mackenzie Pound finished second and third, respectively, helping secure the top spot. St. Joseph-Ogden followed in second with 70 points, while Paxton-Buckley-Loda came in third with 94 points.

Franzen’s leadership, combined with the rapid development of Bressner and Walker, has provided St. Joseph-Ogden with a strong mix of experience and youth. Heading into the Cumberland Sectional next weekend, the Spartans will rely on this balance to compete for a state meet berth.

The competition at Lakeland College will be fierce, with Unity once again looking like the team to beat. However, if Franzen continues her strong season and the team’s younger runners build on their regional performances, St. Joseph-Ogden is well-positioned for success.

St. Joseph-Ogden will aim to extend their season at the sectional meet, with a potential return to Detweiller Park for the state championships.

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