Antioch's Ori will be Augustana's gain
Bianca Ori, a four-year varsity volleyball player for Antioch, will continue her career at Augustana College in Rock Island.
The 5-foot-8 Ori was called a "dominating outside hitter" by her high school coach, Jamie Atkinson.
Ori served as the team captain this season helping the Sequoits to a 20-16 record and an Class 3A regional final appearance.
She finished an all-area season with 50 kills, 56 digs, 22 blocks and 17 service aces.
In the Augustana news release, Atkinson singled out Ori for her commitment to conditioning.
"In four years, the Antioch volleyball program has not had anyone with as much dedication to fitness as Bianca Ori," she said.
Atkinson also pointed to Ori's volunteer work with students with intellectual disabilities as well as her participation in a mentoring program called Sequoit Sidekicks.
"Bianca comes daily with a smile and willingness to jump right in and help," Atkinson said. "She doesn't wait for direction. She takes initiative."
Ori also competed for the Sequoits in soccer and is planning on a major in communication sciences and disorders at Augustana.
Ori joins a Viking program that owns a pair of College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin championships and has produced one CCIW Player of the Year and four CoSIDA Academic All-Americans.
Augustana coach Kelly Bethke completed her first season in 2014, guiding the Vikings to a 24-9 record, the program's best in 13 seasons.
Men's soccer
Emmanuel Sabbi of Libertyville and member of the Chicago Magic, is one of seven midfielders named to the 20-man roster by U.S. Under-18 Men's National Team head coach Javier Perez.
He will take part in the team's training camp in Medugorje, Bosnia & Herzegovina from April 22 to May 1.
Women's track
Lewis University senior Amy Polhemus (Lake Zurich) was part of the Flyers' 4x400 relay team that finished third overall and set a NCAA Provisional mark of 3:45.12 in the preliminary heats to lead the No. 19 women's track and field team at the Drake Relays.
The mark is also the second-fastest time in Lewis history, falling short of the current standard of 3:44.86.
Men's lacrosse
Augustana junior Tyler Amidei (Vernon Hills) has caused a team-high 14 turnovers for the Vikings who will head into postseason play on Wednesday with a 12-4 record. The Vikings' own Thorson-Lucken Field will be the site of a College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin tournament semifinal match between No. 2 seed Augustana and No. 3 Illinois Wesleyan (10-6).
Women's lacrosse
Augustana junior Emily Handrahan (Lake Zurich) had the assist on the Vikings' first goal in a 14-4 win over North Central. The victory gave Augustana (16-1, 6-0) its first College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin championship.
Baseball
Augustana junior pitcher Darwin Townsend (Libertyville) is tied for the team lead in saves (2). The Vikings are 23-11 overall and 8-8 in the CCIW.
Women's tennis
Augustana sophomore Dana Goggin (Buffalo Grove HS) has the team's top record (29-6 at No. 2 singles) heading into the Vikings' first NCAA D-III tourney berth. Sophomore Lauren Goggin (Buffalo Grove) is 27-9 at No. 1
Augustana junior Aileen MacDonald (Mundelein) has been a welcome addition to the Vikings' spring lineup. A regular in the Vikings' lineup the last two years, MacDonald missed the fall portion of the campaign because she was studying abroad. She has stepped in at No. 4 singles and is currently 12-4 on the year.
George Verber Golf Outing
The third annual George Verber Memorial Golf Outing will be held Friday, June 12 with all proceeds going to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Light the Night Walk.
With outstanding support, it has raised more than $31,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society since the fundraising began.
The event will be held at the White Deer Run Golf Club (250 W. Gregg's Parkway) in Vernon Hills, (847) 680-6100.
There will be a four-person scramble with check-in time at 7:30 a.m.
An introduction will be at 8 a.m. followed by a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. Lunch will be at 1 p.m. and awards at 2 p.m.
Cost is $150 per player and $600 per foursome.
It is $25 for lunch only. Cost for green and tee sponsorships is $50.
The fee includes range balls, on-course beverages, lunch and various prizes. There will be a variety of raffle and hole prizes, including longest drive.
George Verber was an accomplished athlete, coach and avid sports fan. He battled valiantly against CMML Leukemia for four years, but succumbed to the disease in January 2013. The Verber family has been very grateful for the outpouring of support and shared memories of George as a teacher, coach, mentor and friend.
For more information, please contact: Event Organizer Brad Verber at 773-814-4242 or email to brad.verber@yahoo.com
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