Round-up: IC's coach wins No. 700
Immaculate Conception had a Field day on Wednesday.
The Knights presented girls volleyball coach Jean Field with her career victory No. 700 in convincing fashion, sweeping Aurora Central 25-13, 25-8 in a Suburban Catholic Conference match in Elmhurst.
"Whoa, they just came out like gangbusters," Field said. "We've been working on coming out and playing right off the bat, and they sure did. They really took it to 'em. I'm happy."
Field, 58, is the eighth Illinois high school volleyball coach to reach the milestone. Her career record stands at 700-405-7. She's coached the Knights to two state championships, three runner-up finishes, one third-place showing, eight Elite Eight appearances, 11 sectional championships and 18 regional titles.
"You don't get this far with a lot of support from a lot of people," Fields told the crowd in a ceremony afterward. She thanked her family and the program's coaches, players, coaches and fans.
The Knights (11-7, 2-5) made sure Field was able to enjoy the night from the start, scoring the first 12 points behind the serving of Maggie Ryan on the way to building a 19-1 lead against Aurora Central (2-14, 0-6) in the opener.
"It was really exciting to be part of such a big milestone with her," said IC senior captain Meg Kowieski. "We definitely wanted to win this one for her so she can get it over with and we can keep getting more for her."
"I think it's great," Aurora Central coach Randy Hewitt said of Field's accomplishment. "I wish she had done it against somebody else. There was way too much emotion in the gym tonight for us to overcome."
Junior middle hitter Danielle Remy led IC at the net with 8 kills and 4 blocks. Kowieski contributed 13 assists and 3 kills, while fellow setter Abby West tallied 8 assists and 6 kills.
Natalie Steinwart and Casey Regnier led the Chargers in kills with 2 apiece.
"We got off to a horrible start in Game 1," Hewitt said. "We got very agitated once again and dug ourselves a deep hole.
"We got some nice momentum toward the end of the first game. It carried over to the second game and then we lost it."
Field received the game ball signed by the Knights from her players and a plaque from her assistant coaches.
"I've just had the most wonderful people to work with," Field said. "I can't say enough about all the girls that I've coached."
Field is excited to see her once powerful program on the rise with a talented young group.
"When you stay in coaching long enough you come full circle," she said. "So hopefully we're coming back the other way in the circle."
Boys soccer
Marmion 2, Sycamore 1:ŒBeto Del Toro and Armando Hermosillo tallied the Cadets' two goals in the nonconference win against the Spartans.
Goalkeeper Mike Meszaros had 10 saves for the Cadets, who improved to 9-4-1.
Girls golf
Geneva 166, Minooka 188:ŒThe Vikings set a new team record with their final score against the nonconference Indians at Mill Creek.
Kendall McCleary set a personal-best with a 39 on the par 35 course. She is one of only three Geneva golfers to break 40 in the past 5 years.
West Aurora 187, Bolingbrook 253:ŒMadison Whitt carded a 45 and earned medalist honors in the Blackhawks' nonconference outing at Old Oak Golf Course in Homer Glen.
Girls tennis
Batavia 6, Kaneland 1:ŒThe Bulldogs have won 8 straight after topping the Knights in Western Sun Conference play.
Elena Mudrak and Mallory Ramp, Batavia's No. 2 doubles team, improved to 11-0 and Kim Sawyer is now 11-1 at the No. 2 singles spot.
Kaneland's lone winner was its No. 1 doubles team of Katie Hatch and Emma Anderson.
The Bulldogs improved to 9-3 overall, 4-0 in the conference.
West Aurora 6, Oswego 1: Shannon Brooks, Alison Krantz and Kristin Holmes all won their singles matches, leading the way for the Blackhawks on the road.
The doubles duos of Brooke Henrey/Mallory Konstans, Nikola Pajakova/Briana Patterson and Emily Kuntzi/Kristine Ruddy also posted wins for West Aurora (9-3 overall).