Getting a volleyball past Schaumburg’s Vincent is one tall order

One key for Schaumburg freshman volleyball player Frankie Vincent is that his mother, Brittany, stands 6-foot-1.

His father, Zach, at 6-3 is no slouch in the height department and athletic like his wife.

“I got the good side of both their genetics,” said Frankie Vincent, who won’t turn 15 until March but already is 6-foot-6 and 210 pounds. He grew about 5 inches between the third and fourth grades and still may not have topped out.

There are places for young men of his height.

Vincent, along with five other surrounding high school players, made USA Volleyball’s first Boys Under-17 National Team that earned a bronze medal at the NORCECA U17 Continental Championship in Managua, Nicaragua, back in November.

Vincent played middle blocker on that team and did the position proud by being named “best blocker” of the tournament with a trophy to prove it.

Glenbard West outside hitter Tommy Clifford, and middle blockers Sean John of Hersey and Nikodem Opiola of Rolling Meadows were named to compete in Nicaragua. Wheaton Warrenville South libero Nate Paige and Wheaton Academy setter Kellen Saurer made the U.S. U17 squad as alternates.

In the five-game victory over Mexico to win bronze, Opiola had 8 kills, 2 blocks and 2 aces. Vincent had 3 kills, 2 blocks and an ace serve, and Clifford had 3 kills. The United States went 4-1 in the tournament.

Only California matched Illinois' six selections on the 17-player team when the roster was determined in tryouts at the Olympic & Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs before the Continental Championship.

“It was definitely in volleyball terms the greatest opportunity of my whole career,” Vincent said.

“It was very special to me because it was the first time they were doing such a young age group. They told me we made history by making the team and playing in the tournament.

“It was just such a great opportunity and a great way to try and get better by playing people from around the world. It was just really special to me, because I also got to play with the best of the best from our country. It was just really cool,” Vincent said.

He’s close with Schaumburg boys volleyball coach Cory Griffin, but other than summer camp, Vincent awaits his first Saxons volleyball season.

To get him to this position, Vincent paid tribute to Matt McCarthy, the former WW South state champion who is the director and a coach at Pipeline Volleyball in Streamwood; and also to Harshil Thakar, founder of Lights Out Volleyball in Chicago.

“He is such a humble kid,” Griffin said of Vincent, who started playing volleyball at around 11 years old and was already a 6-footer.

Vincent also appreciates the National Training Development Program staff. The feeling was mutual — they liked his ability to hit over a block from the right side, Vincent’s normal position. They liked his energy and vertical leap, which Vincent said allows him to reach a height of 11 feet, 7 inches.

“They liked my blocking most of all because I would block everyone in the gym,” he said.

Vincent didn’t state any dates for future U17 tryouts, but they’re coming. He’ll have to prove himself all over again.

“You always have to earn your spot,” he said.

Enter the Wildcats

Those seeking Big Ten Conference softball in a centralized location can get their thirst quenched this spring.

The Northwestern University Wildcats will be playing 12 home games this season at The Ballpark at the Parkway Bank Sports Complex in Rosemont.

It’s a temporary site while Northwestern continues to build its Kip & Sara Kirkpatrick Stadium, slated for completion this summer.

Each of Northwestern’s 12 games at the 14-year-old, 2,000-seat Ballpark in Rosemont is against Big Ten foes. The Wildcats host four three-game series against Oregon, Michigan, Michigan State and Minnesota.

Northwestern’s roster includes infielders Tru Medina and Ainsley Muno of Glenbard North and Barrington high schools, respectively.

Michigan State will bring in pitcher Jacey Schuler from Antioch. Last season as a freshman the right-hander made 26 appearances, 20 of them starts, and led the Spartans in innings pitched, ERA and strikeouts.

doberhelman@dailyherald.com