College volleyball: Radtke named MAC player of the year
Former Stevenson all-area standout Jenna Radtke, who helped the Patriots to a 34-4 record as a senior, didn't miss a beat when she advanced to the Division I collegiate level.
The Northern Illinois senior, who resides in Buffalo Grove, was named player of the year in the Mid-American Conference.
Radtke, a middle blocker, started all 28 matches this season and appeared in all 104 sets.
She averaged 2.70 kills per set with a .384 hitting percentage while sharing the team lead in service aces at 33.
Defensively, she averaged 1.15 blocks per set, the best clip in the Mid-American Conference. She also registered 3.78 points per set.
In MAC matches, Radtke posted 1.34 blocks per set and 3.65 points per set.
She is the first NIU player since Shelby Snyder (1991-94) to be selected first team all-conference at least three times in a career. Radtke earned three MAC 'Defensive Player of the Week' honors and three MAC 'Offensive Player of the Week' awards, totaling six on the season.
Northern Illinois University finished the regular season 23-5 overall in 2016 with a 15-1 clip in conference to clinch a share of the Mid-American Conference Regular Season title, NIU's second in as many seasons and third championship since 2011. The Huskies 15-1 record tied for the most wins in a MAC season in program history, last winning 15 conference contests in 2001.
Women's cross country
Chicago-Concordia senior Rebekah Hanagan (Libertyville) was honored as the schoo's female athlete of the week.
Hanagan ran her best race of the season at the NCAA III Midwest regionals.
Her 29:22.3 bettered her previous best time this year by 25 seconds. "Rebekah had to battle a health issue that came up just before we started preseason," said Concordia Chicago coach Dave Risch in the school's news release. "It set her back from the beginning of the season, but she has done a great job working through the situation, and the fact that she had her best performance in this final meet showed how hard she has worked."
Hanagan is planning to student-teach next fall, leading Risch to say, "If this was Rebekah's final collegiate race, she goes out in a great way." Hanagan is an education/math major.
Softball
Carmel senior shortstop Jen Giesey and Barrington senior outfielder Carly Kordich have signed letters of intent to play for Winona State University.
Giesey, who will be the Corsairs' captain this spring, was a third team all-stater last spring and all-area selection the last three seasons.
She has a career batting average of .385 with 45 extra base hits, 94 RBI and 29 stolen bases.
She helped lead Carmel to its first state tournament appearance last spring.
"We are incredibly happy to welcome Jen Giesey to the Winona State softball family," said Warriors coach Greg Jones. "Jen is an elite hitter who has the ability to make a direct and immediate impact in our offensive lineup the moment she walks on campus next fall.
"She is a "team-first" player who is dedicated and hard working. Her love and appreciation for the game are contagious. She has been a part of great team success with both her high school and club teams."
Kordich was all-state in 2016 and has been an all-area selection the last three years.
She has a career batting average of .384 with 99 runs and 57 stolen bases in her three seasons for coach Perry Peterson.
"The Winona State softball family looks forward to the addition of Carly Kordich," said Warriors coach Greg Jones. "Carly has the speed and leadership to make a major impact at the top of our lineup. She can play all three outfield positions and has passion for the game that fits the culture of Winona State softball.
"This class (six signees) is full of great hitters. Carly is a part of that offensive presence, and her speed and on-base ability will be a key ingredient to our future success."
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