Shepp in charge at Concordia
It’s been almost 10 years since Alison Shepp starred for Schaumburg’s girls volleyball team.
She was a two-time MVP for coach Jeanette Pancratz’ Saxons.
“I remember how coach Pancratz was so involved with the program,” Shepp said. “She encouraged me not only to want to coach, but to be a good role model as well.”
Well, now Shepp will have the opportunity to inspire young women herself.
Shepp has been named the women’s volleyball coach at Concordia University in River Forest.
The former Boston College and professional volleyball player in Europe succeeds Kathy Gebhardt, who led the program the past nine seasons.
“I am very excited for this opportunity,” said Shepp, who earned her bachelor of science in marketing and business from Boston College in 2007.
Shepp has most recently served as director of operations for the volleyball program at Northwestern.
During her time in Evanston, the 2011 Wildcats enjoyed their best start in 14 years, winning their first five matches, and recording wins over three top-25 teams including second-ranked Nebraska.
Shepp is an accomplished coach at the club level and has been involved in several volleyball camps. Her experience includes three years with Sports Performance Volleyball Club in Aurora, Ill., where she coached 14 young women who went on to play NCAA Division I and Division II volleyball.
In addition, she coached her girls 18 and under club team to the AAU national championship.
At Boston College, Shepp recorded 761 kills, 51 solo blocks and 146 block assists over 326 career games as a middle blocker.
Her career highlights include a team-leading .335 hitting percentage in 2003 which ranked fifth in the Big East Conference and two Big East Rookie of the Week honors.
Shepp will be in a Division III atmosphere for the first time.
“I was drawn to Boston College because it was a slightly smaller, private, religiously-affiliated school,” Shepp said. “I see those same qualities in Concordia along with its adherence to the Division III philosophy of the student-athlete, and I hope that potential volleyball recruits will consider Concordia an attractive option.”
Shepp was the recipient of Boston College’s Athletic Director’s Award for Academic Achievement and member of the Eagles’ Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
The former Daily Herald all-area selection places a high priority on scholastic success and the complete college experience.
“I feel I can train any volleyball player,” she said. “But I am most interested in recruiting and mentoring women who are good people and can make the most of their college experience in all facets, not just athletics.”
Shepp was an AAU all-American, a regional champion and AAU silver medalist.
Men’s basketball
Lewis senior Chris McClellan (Wheeling) posted a career-high 25 points along with 6 assists and 4 3-pointers, as the Flyers topped visiting No. 21 Indianapolis in overtime, 78-66.
Lewis improved to 12-6 and 4-6 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference.
It marked the Flyers’ first win over a ranked opponent since Lewis upset No. 24 Kentucky Wesleyan, 86-81, on January 29, 2011. Previously this season, Indianapolis defeated the No. 1 team in the nation twice.
Ÿ Kevin Reed (Prospect), a 6-7 junior, is one of three players for Illinois Wesleyan who is averaging double figures in scoring. Reed is at 10.1 points per game and owns a .646 field goal percentage.
Ÿ Augustana, which has won its last four by an average of almost 34 points per game, is putting up 76.1 points per game (second in the CCIW) and allowing a conference-best 57.0 ppg, which ranks fifth nationally.
Vikings senior point guard Brian DeSimone (Buffalo Grove) leads the team in assists (69) and steals (26) and averages 8 points. He leads the CCIW in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.38) and is coming off a big week in which he hit 10 of 13 shots from the field — including 6 of 7 from beyond the arc — in the Vikings’ two wins over Wheaton and Millikin.
Ÿ Sophomore Alan Aboona (St. Viator) finished with a career-high 12 assists and just 1 turnover for Washington (St. Louis) in a 99-88 upset of No. 4 ranked Emory.
Men’s track and field
North Central’s Dionte Hackler (Schaumburg) joined teammates Randal Ellison, Dan Benton, and Jon Caron to win the 4x400-meter relay with a time of 3:21.96 at the North Central College Cardinal Opener.
Their finish helped the Cardinals to a victory in the competition.
Ÿ John Wood (Fremd) won the pole vault competition in the same meet by clearing 16 feet, one-half inch.
Ÿ Matt Babicz (Prospect) threw a personal best of 59 feet at the Notre Dame Invitational. That throw was the 19th best indoors this year.
Ÿ Augustana senior Mike Tisza (Hersey) was timed in 4:24.16 while finishing first in the mile run of the Wartburg Lutheran Triangular. Augustana won eleven events to claim the title with 305 points to outdistance Wartburg (179.5) and Grand View (100.5).
Kessel Heat TryoutsThe Kessel Heat basketball club offers more than 25 years of coaching experience with intense skills and ballhandling classes.
There are teams for all levels to compete in tournaments suited for each teams skill level.
Practice locations for Kessel teams are offered at KITS in Lake Zurich, Falcons Crest in Palatine and the Libertyville Sports Complex. For more details and the list of extensive tryout dates,
visit www.kesselstraining.com. or contact Kyle Kessel directly at (847) 406-7989.
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