Boys golf: Maine West, Highland Park will enter the Friday Night Lights world
It's time to flip the switch on another season of Sports Notes, the weekly column originated by legendary Daily Herald sports editor Bob Frisk and continued by Hall of Fame sports writer Marty Maciaszek.
We'll commence the 2019-20 season by telling you they're also flipping the switch on the lights at the Des Plaines Golf Center for a historic prep event.
The Maine West boys golf team will host Highland Park on Friday in the first boys or girls meet held under the lights in Illinois High School Association history.
Maine West coach Mike Godlewski and Giants coach Paul Harris each began coaching their respective teams in 1995.
"We've been coaching against each other for 25 years," said Godlweski, whose daughter Theresa was a standout swimmer for the University of South Dakota and Wheeling High School. "We decided to do something special for our players and to give them an experience they will never forget."
Tee-off time for the nine-hole Central Suburban North meet is 7 p.m.
"These players will be able to tell their kids and grandchildren that they played in the very first 'night time' IHSA competitive golf match," Godlewski said.
"The uniqueness of playing under the lights will challenge the golfers in the area of depth perception (hitting from lighted tee boxes to lighted greens while the ball travels through the dark).
"It will also challenge ball flight during the chilly night time temps, and greens that will get damper and get slower as the round progresses.
"There will be an awesome feeling that players will experience playing at night and during the first competitive night of golf."
Women's volleyball
Oakland University (MI) sophomore middle hitter Jess Riedl (Maine West) was named to the all-tourney team at the Michigan Invitational.
Riedl had 9 kills with a .438 hitting percentage as Oakland defeated Northern Arizona in four sets. Riedl also had 6 blocks and hit .500 in Oakland's opening match against the No. 15-ranked Wolverines.
In addition to playing volleyball at Maine West, Riedl was also a key member of the Warriors' undefeated 2019 state championship girls basketball team coached by Kim de Marigny.
Men's cross country
Augustana sophomore Karsten Zielinski (Schaumburg) finished 31st in 17:07 when the Vikings opened the season with a fifth-place finish at the Coe Early Season Opener in Cedar Rapids, IA.
Women's golf
Concordia-Wisconsin junior Amy Carpenter (Elk Grove) led her team with a 195 total (93-102) to finish in a tie for 29th at the Wisconsin-Oshkosh Fall Classic at the Oshkosh Country Club.
Carpenter's opening round of 93 was the lowest of any Falcon during the tournament in which Concordia placed tenth.
Carpenter was named All-Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference after placing ninth at the championships last fall.
Women's soccer
Augustana senior Cora Jacobsen (Palatine) had an unassisted goal in the Vikings' season-opening 9-0 victory over visiting Lawrence.
Girls golf
Barrington and Prospect's girls teams are each 6-0 in the Mid-Suburban League and scheduled to meet at the Mt. Prospect Golf Club on Sept. 19 in a tri-meet with Palatine.
The event will not only feature the league's defending West and East champions but also the two Division I recruits in the MSL.
Fillies ace Caroline Smith is headed to Wake Forest while Prospect leader Kelly Kavanagh is headed to play for Drake.
Speaking of undefeated teams in the MSL, there is one other.
Fremd coach Jeremy Malinowski also has his Vikings at 6-0 in his first season directing the Vikings' program.
Women's volleyball
Harper College coach Bob Visloet has another solid team with several girls from local high schools.
In a 25-18, 25-14, 25-18 win over Madison College, the Hawks received 12 of 12 serving with 3 aces and 4 digs in the first set from Kelsey Bauer (Palatine).
Also in the opening game, setter Taylor Pfaller (St. Viator) had 7 assists and 6 digs while Rachel Kandefer (Elk Grove) connected for 3 kills and a block. Natalie Asa (Schaumburg) also had 3 kills.
Overall, Pfaller finished with 22 assists and led Harper with 12 digs to give her multiple double-doubles on the season.
"We played a masterpiece match tonight," Visloet said. "Hopefully we now know how that feels and can do that again. Madison is a good team."
Rochester Community and Technical College defeated Harper 25-19, 25-18, 25-17 in a match where Kandefer led the Hawks with 9 kills and 2 blocks. Rugile Jaciunas (Wheeling) had 6 kills while Pfaller collected 15 assists.
Men's soccer
Augustana senior keeper Jeremy Klaber, a Buffalo Grove native, stopped the only shot he faced in the first half of the Vikings' 1-1 tie at Buena Vista.
Rugby
The Arlington Stallions Rugby Club hosts an information social to prepare for the 2020 competitive spring season on Thursday, Sept. 19 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Gatsby's Pizza in Arlington Heights.
This club offers teams for boys players from fifth the 12th grade.
Current players and coaches will be on hand to answer any prospective player's questions.
The Stallions have won multiple state championships and many of their alumni have gone on to play collegiate rugby at such schools as Ohio State, Illinois, Colorado, Purdue, Louisville and former national champion St. Mary's (CA). No previous rugby experience is necessary for successful participation.