Focused Althoff ready for familiar foe in quest to repeat Class 3A state volleyball championship

The Althoff Crusaders will attempt to move one step closer toward a second straight state championship Friday when they take on the Chicago Latin Romans in a semi-final round match at the Class 3A Volleyball Tournament at Redbird Arena in Normal.

Althoff (36-4), which defeated Chicago Resurrection 25-16, 25-23, in the state title match a year ago, will take on Chicago Latin (35-2) at 5:30 p.m. in this second of two Class 3A semi-final round matches.

This is the second time in three years the schools have met at the state finals. The Crusaders defeated the Romans 25-16, 22-25, 25-18 in the Class 2A third place match in 2016.

The Joliet Catholic Angels (27-13) will play the Sterling Golden Warriors (39-1) in the first semi-final at 4 p.m. The two semi-final winners will play for the state championship on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. The third place match is set for 4 p.m.

Following is a closer look at the four teams that will compete at the Class 3A state volleyball tournament.

Joliet (Catholic Academy) (27-13)

Coach: Christine Scheibe (19th year, 563-174-10)

Classification Enrollment: 1032.9

Nickname: Angels

Colors: Columbia Blue/Brown/White

Conference: East Suburban Catholic

Last Year’s Advancement: Lost to Aurora (Waubonsie Valley), 25-21-,23-25, 26-24, in 4A Regional Final

State Tournament history: This is the Angels 12th trip to the state tournament. They won state championships in 2003, 2008 and 2009

Players to watch: Soph. OH: Jilian Gray (230 kills, 36 aces, 249 digs); Sr. OH: Emily Holbrook ((261 kills, 28 aces, 319 digs); Soph. Setter Ryan Hinshaw (23 aces, 748 assists, 195 digs)

Sterling (H.S.) (39-1)

Coach: Dale Dykeman (7 years 228-38-1)

Classification Enrollment: 1044.0

Nickname: Golden Warriors

Colors: Navy/Gold

Conference: Northern Illinois Big 12

Last Year’s Advancement: Lost to Bartonville (Limestone), 25-21, 25-15, in Sectional Semifinal

State Tournament history: This is the Golden Warrioirs first state tournament appearance

Players to watch: Sr. Setter: Josie Borum (, 253 kills, 495 assists, 219 digs); Soph: RS Breelyn Borum (261 kills, 205 digs, 552 assists, 205 digs); Soph. OH: Brooklyn Borum ( 431 kills, 31 aces 209 digs)

Belleville (Althoff Catholic) (36-4)

Coach: Tony Miner (1st year. 36-4)

Classification Enrollment: 627.0

Nickname: Crusaders

Colors: Navy Blue/Gold

Conference: South Seven

Last Year’s Advancement: Defeated Chicago (Resurrection), 25-16, 25-23, in State Championship

State tournament history: This is the Crusaders’ 12th trip to the state volleyball tournament. They won the Class 3A state title in 2017

Players to watch: Sr. OH: Lauren Borik (195 kills, 43 blovks, 83 digs); Jr. MB: Karinna Gall (435 kills, 81 blocks, 46 aces, 332 digs), Jr. OH: Katie Wemhoener (253 kills, 31 aces, 375 digs); Jr. Setter: Mary Wessel (97 kills, 41 aces, 808 assists, 330 digs)

Chicago (Latin) (35-2)

Coach : Bryn Kehoe (2nd season, 68-6-1)

Classification Enrollment: 757.35

Nickname: Romans

Colors: Navy/Orange

Conference: Independent School League

Last Year’s Advancement: Lost to Chicago (Resurrection), 25-16, 25-15, in Super-Sectional

State tournament history: This its the Romans second appearance in the state tournament

Players to watch: Sr. L-OH Charlotte Cronister (149 kills, 71 aces, 394 digs); Jr. OH: Katie Kraczkowski (200 kills, 41 aces, 194 digs); Soph. Setter (34 aces, 772 assists, 162 digs)

This story was originally published November 7, 2018 at 11:23 AM.