Daum, Mize excel at Cardinal Stritch

Senior Brittney Daum (Dundee-Crown) and freshman Caitlin Mize (Crystal Lake South) are enjoying a successful season with the Cardinal Stritch University women's basketball team.

The Wolves, ranked No. 17 in this week's NAIA Division II poll, improved to 22-2 overall and 7-0 in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference with an 80-51 victory over visiting Judson University on Wednesday.

Both Daum and Mize played key roles in a 94-88 comeback victory by Cardinal Stritch against Olivet Nazarene University on Jan. 23. Mize came off the bench to hit 3 straight jumpers at one point, and Daum scored 7 points to spark a 16-3 run that pulled the Wolves within a point of the lead with seven minutes to play.

Yohn at Bradley: Freshman guard Katie Yohn (St. Edward) continues to excel in her first season with the Braves (10-9, 6-3 Missouri Valley Conference). A two-time all-state selection in high school, Yohn has started 10 games and leads her team in points scored (186) and scoring average (9.8). The St. Charles native has connected on 37-of-110 attempts from 3-point range (33.6 percent). She is averaging 2.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game.

Haen, Johnson at Illinois: Senior setter Hillary Haen (Prairie Ridge) and freshman middle blocker Erin Johnson (Crystal Lake South) were key components last fall for the University of Illinois women's volleyball team, which finished its season 26-6 overall, 16-4 in the Big Ten (second place).

Haen, a two-time Daily Herald All-Area honorary co-captain, was named to the All-Big Ten team after she posted 1,242 assists, the 16th highest total in the nation. Johnson started every match for the Illini and was named to the All-Big Ten freshman team after recording 104 blocks and 138 kills in 348 attempts.

Johnson at College of Charleston: St. Edward 2007 graduate Paige Johnson of Sleepy Hollow was the leading defender for the College of Charleston women's volleyball team, which finished its fall season 18-13 overall and 12-4 in the Southern Conference. After winning the Southern Conference title, the Cougars advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the sixth time in eight seasons.

Johnson, a 5-5 defensive specialist/libero and a two-time Daily Herald All-Area honorary co-captain, finished her junior season as the team leader in digs (434) and digs per set (3.68). Her digs-per-set total ranked 222nd in the country last season. She posted a career high with 30 digs against Elon College on Oct. 25.

Post at Ohio: Katie Post, a 2007 Streamwood graduate and former honorary co-captain of the Daily Herald All-Area volleyball team, completed a successful sophomore season with the Bobcats (27-7, 15-1 Mid American Conference). Ohio advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament before falling to Michigan in 5 sets. The 6-foot-3 middle blocker started 33 of 34 matches and finished second on her team in blocks (104), third in aces (32) and fourth in kills (210).

Moran at Northern Iowa: Two-time Daily Herald All-Area honorary co-captain Johnny Moran (Jacobs) is in his second year as a starter for the University of Northern Iowa (19-2). The Panthers entered the week ranked No. 23 in The Associated Press poll and No. 22 in the USA Today coaches poll. Moran has started all 19 games in which he has played, averaging 24.5 minutes, 5.6 points, 1.5 assists, 3.5 rebounds and less than one turnover per game.

Ellis at Eastern Kentucky: Dayvon Ellis (Larkin), a 2006-07 Daily Herald All-Area boys basketball honorary co-captain, is averaging 14.4 minutes per game at Eastern Kentucky (15-8). The 6-foot senior guard scored a season-high 12 points to go with 5 assists in the Colonel's 76-71 victory over Austin Peay on Jan. 4. He is averaging 4.6 points and 1.6 assists per game.

Beck at Lake Forest: Freshman Jeff Beck, who led Dundee-Crown to the Final Four in Class 4A in 2009, has started all 18 games for the Foresters (9-9). A guard, Beck is averaging 26.8 minutes, 7.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. In Tuesday's 80-53 victory over Monmouth College, he tallied 10 points to go with 4 rebounds and 3 assists.

Williams at Texas-Arlington: Redshirt freshman Armani Williams (Elgin) is contributing 6.3 points per game as a reserve for the Mavericks (10-9). Williams sat out last year due to knee surgery but has returned to average 14.5 minutes per game. One of the most prolific 3-point shooters in area high school basketball history, the 6-2 guard is shooting 35 percent from 3-point range (38 of 108) in his first full collegiate season.

Granger at Eastern Illinois: Jeremy Granger, a 2008 Elgin graduate, has started 21 of 22 men's basketball games this season for the Panthers (11-11, 5-7 Ohio Valley Conference). A 6-1 guard, Granger is averaging 30.9 minutes per game, leads his team in assists (58) and is second on the squad in scoring average (9.8 ppg.) and steals (18). The sophomore has also connected on 18-of-19 attempts from 3-point range (42.1 percent).

Krutwig at South Dakota: Conrad Krutwig, a 2008-09 Daily Herald All-Area honorary co-captain from Jacobs, is averaging 6.3 minutes in the 17 games in which he has appeared for the Coyotes (12-9). The 6-6 freshman has played 107 minutes and is averaging 2.4 points per game.

Zelinsky at Central Michigan: Kyle Zelinsky, a 2009 Bartlett graduate, all-state linebacker and honorary co-captain of the Daily Herald All-Area team, played in three games as a true freshman for the Chippewas last fall. The 6-1 linebacker made 8 solo tackles, assisted on 9 more and broke up 2 passes for a team that defeated Troy 44-41 in double overtime in the GMAC Bowl.

Neukirch at Illinois State: Jordan Neukirch, a 2009 Huntley graduate and honorary co-captain of the Daily Herald All-Area team, was red shirted this fall. A running back in high school, the 6-2, 220-pound freshman is expected to play linebacker when he takes the field for the Redbirds next fall.