Immanuel Dundee boys win volleyball championship
The Immanuel Dundee boys volleyball team clinched the championship for the Illinois Lutheran School Athletics State Tournament in Springfield Nov. 6. The team was coached by Steve Hall, veteran teacher and coach, and assisted by Christina Chwala and Sarah Schiltz.
The Eagles posted a 9-1 record in conference. Their overall season record was 22-1. Hall attributes the success to ability and determination.
“This team is the epitome of the benefits of hard work,” he said.
The Springfield tournament capped off a great season for players and fans alike. More than 60 people made the journey downstate to root for the Eagles. Principal Ken Becker joined the group as well.
“What a weekend for our boys and their families! We are so proud to see their hard work rewarded and can’t wait to see that championship banner hanging in our gym,” Becker said.
Of the players, Hall said they each had a job to do and success came from them executing those jobs.
“Eighth-graders Brad Bartelt and Josh Anderson offered reliability, Anderson in serving and net play and Bartelt in playing and leadership.
“Consistent setting came from Taylor Schmidt, the heart and soul of our team. Brad Barker, with his impressive height and power, provided the Eagles’ best spiking. Daniel Dickson always played hard and showed no fear.
“Our seventh-graders contributed to the team’s core, with Connor Chwala, Andrew Kovachevich and Cameron Hoyt as notable utility players, contributing throughout the season and forming a good nucleus for next year.
“Nick Kleczynski offered accurate setting and great ability in diving for the ball. Matthew Lemke relieved Barker and did a solid job of passing and digging.”
To summarize the season, Hall notes, “These boys had a goal in mind from the start of the season and would not take no for an answer. They were gentlemen on and off the court and used what God gave them to take it all the way.”
Principal Becker sees this as part of the bigger picture.
“We are so proud of our boys volleyball team and their state championship. This has been a great season for ILS, with the volleyball victory, our first national cross country finisher and our recent Knowledge Bowl team taking third place.
“Now we are switching gears to host the upper grade musical and preparing for basketball season. It’s the combination of talent, hard work and opportunity that prepares the students for success at ILS and in life.”
Immanuel Lutheran School is on Main Street in East Dundee. It offers high quality academics and extracurriculars for students in PK3 to eighth grade. To learn more, visit immanuelschool-ed.org or email Julia Heinz at jheinz@immanuel-ed.org.