Look: Our best prep sports photos from April
Daily Herald photographers battled the changing temperatures to capture peak action moments in high school sports in the Chicago suburbs in April.
Buffalo Grove shortstop Lily Kim makes a diving stop of a ground ball, but she was unable to force the Conant runner at second during Thursday’s game in Hoffman Estates.
Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
St. Charles East goalkeeper Mia Olenek absorbs a Saint Viator shot in a girls soccer game in Arlington Heights on Thursday, April 2, 2026.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Buffalo Grove catcher Erin Ryan collides with the fence post near Conant’s dugout while trying to catch a pop foul during Thursday’s game in Hoffman Estates. She remained in the game after being checked by the trainer.
Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
Hersey’s Kieran Daly encourages teammates in a boys volleyball match against Libertyville in Arlington Heights on Wednesday, Apr. 1, 2026.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
A referee checks the players nails at the St. Charles Varsity Boys Water Polo Tournament Saturday, April 4, 2026 in St. Charles.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
Geneva’s Tegan Modjeski controls the ball against St. Charles North’s Shannon Reid in a girls soccer game in St. Charles on Thursday, Apr. 9, 2026.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Schaumburg’s Payton Alfini sees his shot blocked back to him by Fremd’s Fred Worst in a boys volleyball match in Palatine on Tuesday, Apr. 7, 2026.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Fremd’s Asya Poyraz and Naperville North’s Lauren Pera, right, collide in a girls soccer game in Palatine on Wednesday, Apr. 8 2026.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Prospect’s James Otto steals third as the ball bounces away from Rolling Meadows third baseman Ben Kusumpa during Friday’s game.
Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
Naperville North’s Lily Radek holds back Fremd’s Gia Gillespie in a girls soccer game in Palatine on Wednesday, Apr. 8 2026.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Maine South’s Alex Kolev returns the ball during the first doubles semifinals of Saturday’s boys tennis tournament at Palatine High School.
Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
West Aurora’s Reznor Orebaugh (11) shoots the ball past Glenbard West’s Jack Belda during the semifinals of the Glenbard East boys volleyball tournament Saturday, April 11, 2026 in Lombard.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
Gianna Ecklund attempts to lay down a bunt against Naperville North during their crosstown softball game Monday, April 13, 2026 in Naperville.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
Naperville Central's Cali Lenz watches her hit to left field against Naperville North during their crosstown softball game Monday, April 13, 2026 in Naperville.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
Libertyville’s Weston Wyzukovicz advances to third on a single as Lake Zurich third baseman Alex Toth takes the throw during Tuesday’s game at Libertyville.
Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
Libertyville’s Colin Waddell, (5) celebrates with teammates Lukas Slesers (6) Andrews Hodge (13) and Jackson McKay after the Wildcats won in two games during Wednesday’s boys volleyball match at Lake Zurich.
Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
Naperville Central’s Fiona Brown dives safely back to first after teammate Avery Miller lined out to Benet Academy third baseman Avery Burns in a softball game in Lisle on Thursday, Apr. 16, 2026.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Lakes’ William Mercure clears the bar on his way to winning pole vault during the Stevenson boys track relays on Thursday, April 16, 2026 in Lincolnshire.
Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
Naperville Central’s Mae Binkowski is forced out at second by Benet Academy shortstop Ester Lynn Rossi in a softball game in Lisle on Thursday, Apr. 16, 2026.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Wheaton Warrenville South’s Mehki Turner approaches the high jump bar at the Naperville North Gus Scott boys and girls track and field invitational on Friday, Apr. 17, 2026 in Naperville. He won the event win a jump of 6’4”.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Fremd’s Gwen Zimmerman directs the ball with a header during Friday’s girls soccer match against Barrington.
Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
Naperville North’s Charlie Minott wins the 800-meter run at the Gus Scott boys and girls track and field invitational on Friday, Apr. 17, 2026 in Naperville.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
A shot by Barrington’s Skye Lundy gets past Fremd goal keeper Addison Barlo during Friday’s girls soccer match in Palatine.
Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
Barrington players celebrate a goal by Skye Lundy, top right, as the Fillies go up 2-0 over Fremd during Friday’s girls soccer match in Palatine.
Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
The starters gun marks the beginning of another race at the Naperville North Gus Scott boys and girls track and field invitational on Friday, Apr. 17, 2026 in Naperville.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
St. Francis anchor Erin Hinsdale takes the baton from teammate Margaret Andrzejewski in the 3,200-meter relay during the Schaumburg girls track and field invite on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
Schaumburg anchor Serena Green is way out in front as the Saxons win the 400-meter relay during the Schaumburg girls track and field invite on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
St. Viator goalie Judith Saji makes a save during Tuesday’s girls soccer match at Benet Academy.
Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
Wheaton North's Theo Lee passes the ball during the crosstown boys volleyball match Tuesday, April 28, 2026 in Wheaton.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
The ball bounces on the infield after Fremd second baseman Luke Philip tried to catch a pop fly with a man on first, but the Vikings were able to recover and get the force out at second during Wednesday's game in Palatine.
Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
Hoffman Estates’ JMari Jackson wins the 110-meter high hurdles during Thursday’s boys track and field meet at Lake Zurich.
Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
Wheaton Warrenville South’s Josh Clevenger celebrates as he makes the winning jump in pole vault during the Red Grange boys track and field meet at Wheaton Warrenville South High School on Friday, April 24, 2026 in Wheaton.
Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
Lake Park catcher Isabella Marinaro is awash in a cloud of dust as she catches a pitch against Antioch during softball action Saturday, April 25, 2026 in Roselle.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
Wheaton Warrenville South's Simon Bratt blocks a Wheaton North shot during the crosstown boys volleyball match Tuesday, April 28, 2026 in Wheaton.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
Lakes’ Cayleigh Mathena clears the high jump bar at 1.47 meters during the Lake County girls track and field meet hosted by Grayslake Central on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 in Grayslake.
Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com