Lake Zurich’s Arends strolls onto Indiana’s roster

Kate Arends, a four-year varsity soccer player at Lake Zurich, received interest from several schools to play college soccer.

But she always wanted a degree from Indiana University, so that’s where she decided to go for academics.

In early August, she was invited by Hoosiers coach Mick Lyon to try out with the Indiana varsity players during their two-a-day sessions.

Arend’s tryout could not have gone better.

By the end of the second day, Lyon offered Arends a walk-on position.

The former all-conference high school player was the only walk-on invited and the only one that made the team.

“I really would not be playing if it wasn’t for my high school and club coaches always challenging and encouraging me to play my best, said Arends. “I’ve always dreamed of playing for a big school but never thought it was possible. I started to play soccer when I was four and it became my passion, so I didn’t feel right giving it up when I went to college.”

Arends also led her club team (Ela Elite) to state three consecutive seasons and she won the state tournament with her Under-18 team and played up and won the Under-23 state crown in 2011. While playing with the Ela Elite team in 2009, she was coached by former Indiana men’s soccer All-American Robert Meschbach.

“I love playing Indiana soccer,” Arends said. “It is a great experience. Even though the practices, running, and lifting is challenging, it’s worth doing.”

At Lake Zurich, where she played for coach Meghan Kolze, Arends also earned two letters in volleyball and was named to the honor roll all four years. She was a member of the National Honor Society.

So she knows a thing about balancing a busy schedule.

“Soccer usually consumes five hours a day beginning with waking up at 7 a.m. every morning for breakfast,” she said. “Juggling school and D-1 soccer is challenging, but it is possible if you balance your time.”

Women’s volleyball

Senior middle blocker Margaret Salata (Carmel) has been a steady performer since joining North Carolina State four years ago.

This season, she has been effective during the Wolfpack’s nine-game winning streak.

She is ranked in the ACC’s top 10 in four different categories: hitting percentage (5th, .387), kills (8th, 3.36 per set), blocks (8th, 1.07 per set) and points (4th, 4.21 per set).

Women’s cross country

St. Francis sophomore Hilary Halford (Carmel) led St. Francis University to a third-place finish in the 12-team Elmhurst College Early Bird Invitational. Halford placed fourth in the 4k race.

Ÿ With junior Sarahbeth Jones (Warren)continuing to shine, Augustana turned in another solid effort in the 28-team Illinois Intercollegiate Championships at the Illinois State Golf Course in Bloomington.

The Vikings took ninth with 279 points and it was Jones leading the way. She was 24th with a time of 18:33 and would have been eighth individually once the NCAA Division I runners were removed from the results.

Gurnee Park District

Ÿ The Gurnee Park District is offering fencing classes to those students in grades 7 -12. The program is designed for both the beginner participants and those with previous experience. The program will be held at the Woodland Middle School in Gurnee starting in early October. For more information or to register for this program visit gurneeparkdistrict.com

Ÿ Also there is a night of volleyball is provided with your friends. The emphasis is on fun and recreational play. The program meets on Tuesday evenings at the Viking Jr. High in Gurnee is open to those 21 years of age and up. For more information or to register for this program visit gurneeparkdistrict.com.

Women’s volleyball

Augustana freshman Emily Leazer (St. Viator) made a big impact in her first two weeks in a Viking uniform.

She picked up the first significant honor of her collegiate career when she was named to the all-tournament team at the Rhodes Invitational in Memphis, Tennessee. In four matches, Leazer played in 15 games and recorded 48 kills with 17 errors and 123 total attacks for a .252 hitting percentage. She averaged 3.20 kills per game and added 82 digs, 7 total blocks and 6 service aces.

Leazer has played in a total of 36 games, second on the team, and she is averaging 2.53 kills. She has 91 kills, 36 errors and 279 total attacks for a hitting percentage of .197. She has 12 service aces, 151 digs and 14 total blocks (one solo and 13 assists).

Men’s cross country

Augustana senior Mike Tisza (Hersey)was selected as the “Runner of the Week” in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin.

Tisza’s second-place finish in the All-American Invitational held at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa helped the Vikings finish second to Wisconsin-LaCrosse by only 1 point.

Tisza led the Vikings through the 4-mile course, hitting the chute in a time of 20:35.

Tisza, a team captain, was one of 13 finishers to cover the course in less than 21:00 minutes.

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