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Chicago Tribune
4 days ago
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Marist's Christian Teresi is the 2025 Daily Southtown Boys Volleyball Player of the Year: ‘An exciting future.'
Christian Teresi opened his varsity career making a couple of double hits on set attempts in his first match for Marist. He ended his career by doubling his number of state championships. In between, the Ohio State-bound senior setter/right-side hitter created a stellar career that wasn't going to be defined by those early mistakes all the way back in 2022 against Sandburg. 'Obviously, you make errors,' Teresi said. 'You get past it and you think about the next play.' Teresi, the 2025 Daily Southtown Player of the Year, had a lot of 'next plays' to think about as he helped the RedHawks (39-2) roll along in winning their second straight state championship. A three-time player of the year, Teresi stayed busy with 359 kills, 638 assists, 212 digs, 86 blocks and 28 aces for Marist, which became just the second team from the Southland to repeat as state champs in boys volleyball. Sandburg accomplished the feat in 1999 and 2000. For his career, Teresi rang up 902 kills, 725 digs, 302 blocks and 132 aces. His 3,258 assists rank him third in the Illinois High School Association record book. Second on that list is Jordan Vidovic, a star setter for Brother Rice from 2002 to 2005. Vidovic was Teresi's coach the past four seasons at Marist. 'It's been a hell of a ride,' Vidovic said. 'I've known him since he was in second or third grade when he came to a summer camp and I've seen him grow. I've had a high standard for him. 'He grew as a person and he grew in a lot of other ways.' Vidovic, who has coached the boys since 2015 at Marist, never had a freshman start the season on the varsity until Teresi walked through the doors. Teresi confirmed he was nervous for his first match, but despite the rough beginning, he finished with 35 assists in a 23-25, 25-12, 25-13 victory over the host Eagles in Orland Park. Over the years, Teresi has had a number of incredible matches, but when he added hitting to his game during his sophomore season, he came through with a triple-double of 10 kills, 10 digs and 32 assists against Hinsdale Central. Even though Vidovic saw a lot of terrific things from Teresi on the court in his first three years, he still wanted a little more this season. 'This year was about the leadership side and forgetting about recognition,' Vidovic said. 'I liked that he soaked up one of the best experiences that he will ever have. He has an exciting future. 'But it will never be like this. This year was about enjoying the season with his teammates and how to make them better — how to be remembered as a player in our program.' Jacob Finley, who shared the setting duties for Marist, saw Teresi as a teacher one minute and then as a player he absolutely had to connect with the next minute. 'He's a great leader,' Finley said of Teresi. 'He's helped me in practice and in games. It's a lot of working together.' After Marist won the state championship by beating Glenbard West 25-20, 25-20 in Hoffman Estates, Teresi took a few seconds for a big hug with his father, Marty. It was a nice moment because when Christian's older brother, Colin, was playing club at the 12U level, Marty would take Christian off to the side and pepper with him. Soon, one of Colin's coaches called Christian over to practice with the older players. It was the start of what turned out to be an outstanding career. 'My dad would take me to the side and taught me how to play volleyball,' Christian said. 'He's the one who pushed me and he's the one who made me humble.'
Boston Globe
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Seven high school sports takeaways from Tuesday, when 10 teams punched their MIAA state final tickets
Related : While the D3 girls' lax final is still to be determined, Thursday's D4 title game (5 p.m.) will pit third-seeded Norwell and No. 1 Cohasset, both of whom won going away in the semifinals. Advertisement Over in boys' volleyball, top-seeded Brookline rallied after dropping the first set to take down defending Division 1 champion Newton North and set up a showdown with third-seeded Needham, a Bay State Conference rival, in Friday's final at Xaverian (6:30 p.m.). Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Division 2 will pit No. 3 Wayland against top-seeded Agawam, which survived a five-set battle with neighboring West Springfield in the semifinals, in Thursday's championship match at Shrewsbury High (6:30 p.m.). 1. The reading list 2. Three stars Kassidy Carmichael, Westford — The Ohio State-bound senior scored nine of her team's 11 goals, Girls' lax final: Westford Academy 11, Wellesley 10 Another day, another fourth-quarter comeback, another winner for Kassidy Carmichael — this one with 1 second left for her ninth goal. Absolutely unbelievable. What a game — Trevor Hass (@TrevorHass) Finn Bell, Wayland — The junior, who reached 1,000 career kills last week, dominated at the net with 27 kills, adding five digs to help the third-seeded Warriors reach the Division 2 final with a 3-1 win over Westfield in the semis. Advertisement After 2: Wayland 2, Westfield 0. 25-23, 25-19 the set scores thus far. After a back and forth opening frame, Wayland took control early in the second and never relented, with Finn Bell putting away the final point. — Matty Wasserman (@Matty_Wasserman) Scarlett Mirak, Concord-Carlisle — The standout sophomore learned the game from her three older sisters, Gabrielle, Audrey, and Eliza, and will now be the first of her siblings to play for a Division 1 championship after she netted six goals in a 13-6 semifinal win over Chelmsford. Half: Concord-Carlisle 10, Chelmsford 4 The Patriots won each quarter by a 5-2 score to seize command. Sophomore Scarlett Mirak has 5 goals and Karleigh Mutch 3 for the Patriots. Four scorers for the Lions — Trevor Hass (@TrevorHass) 3. Daily lacrosse leaderboard Goals Kassidy Carmichael , Westford, 9 Scarlett Mirak , Concord-Carlisle, 6 Charlie Cox , Norwell, 5 Avery Regan , Cohasset, 5 Elisabeth Stutzman , Sandwich, 5 Abby Beggans , Wellesley, 4 Reese Hansen , Cohasset, 4 Karleigh Mutch , Concord-Carlisle, 4 Caitlyn Naughton , Walpole, 4 Molly Campbell , Cohasset, 3 Olicia Comella , Wellesley, 3 Sophia Fruci , Walpole, 3 Emily Hagan , Walpole, 3 Holly Panttila , Norwell, 3 Emily Regan , Cohasset, 3 Molly Trahan , Reading, 3 4. Bedford's Rossi honored With a spectacular senior season for Bedford, Alyx Rossi has been named Gatorade Massachusetts Softball Player of the Year. 'Rossi is such a talented pitcher and hitter as well,' said Westford Academy coach Gina Mustoe in a statement. 'She dominates on the mound and has such control over all of her pitches.' The Boston College-bound Rossi has the Buccaneers in the Division 2 semifinals and has posted a 0.35 ERA with 276 strikeouts in 120 innings. She is hitting .543 with a .614 OBP, seven home runs, 26 RBIs, 31 runs, and six steals. The 5-foot-9-inch lefthander, who was named the Globe's Division 2 Player of the Year as a junior, has 958 career strikeouts. A member of the Spanish National Honor Society and Bedford's Academic Hall of Fame, Rossi volunteers with the town's club of social concern and was a member of Bedford's Model UN team. Advertisement 5. Commitment central ▪ St. Mary's sophomore Bella Owumi will be transferring to the Tilton School in New Hampshire. Owumi, who has been a varsity starter since seventh grade, already has 1,224 career points and was named Catholic Central MVP after averaging 17.1 points per game while leading the Spartans to the Division 3 state title. Owumi will be joined by her Spartans and MCW Starz teammate Lily Norton in Tilton's 2027 class, which also features Kam Derba , who grew up in Easton and played at Dexter Southfield. Thank you to Coach — Bella Owumi (@BellaOwumi24) ▪ Northfield Mt. Hermon junior Olivia Fleming has committed to play women's basketball at Lehigh. The 5-foot-7 guard from Wyndham, N.H., was named NEPSAC Class AA Player of the Year and also plays for Rivals. Next 4! 🤎🤍 — Olivia Fleming (@_OliviaF_21) ▪ Quarterback Dante Reno (Sturbridge), who attended Loomis Chaffee and Cheshire Academy in Connecticut, will transfer from South Carolina to play for his father, Tony , at Yale. The 6-foot-2-inch, 214-pound redshirt freshman will have four years of eligibility remaining. He threw for 2,358 yards and 20 touchdowns as a senior for Cheshire. Tony Reno has coached Yale since 2012 and has won four Ivy League championships. For god, for country, for Yale. — Dante Reno (@dantereno10) 6. Coaching carousel ▪ North Andover announced Ben Murphy as its new boys' hockey coach. Murphy, who played at Cushing before winning a Hockey East championship and reaching two national title games at Maine, brings 19 years of collegiate coaching experience. Most recently, Murphy was an associate head coach on the women's staff at Providence. Prior to that he had stints with RPI, Bentley, St. Lawrence, and Castleton State. He began his coaching career with the Wichita Thunder of the CHL. Advertisement Murphy replaces Scott Greene , who led the Scarlet Knights since 2021. 🚨NEW BOYS HOCKEY COACH🚨 North Andover High School is excited to announce Ben Murphy as our new Boys Varsity Hockey Coach. — Scarlet Knights (@NA_Athletics) ▪ North Andover didn't stop with its boys' hockey program, also announcing the hiring of Don Viselli as girls' basketball coach. Viselli most recently served as an assistant at Derryfield School in Manchester, N.H., and he has 25 years coaching experience, from fifth grade to high school. He started and coached the Merrimack Valley Roadrunners AAU program and has also coached with MassRivals. 🚨NEW GIRLS BASKETBALL COACH🚨 North Andover High School is excited to announce Don Viselli as our new Girls Varsity Basketball Coach. — Scarlet Knights (@NA_Athletics) ▪ Essex Tech announced the hiring of Liv Robles as its girls' basketball coach. Robles spent last season as an assistant at Emmanuel after graduating from Saint Anselm in 2024 after a four-year career for the Hawks. From Connecticut, she was a three-time All-Southern Connecticut Conference selection at Mark T. Sheehan School. We are excited to welcome Liv Robles as our Head Girls Basketball Coach. Most recently, Liv was an assistant at Emmanuel College. She was also a 4 year player at St. Anselm College. — Essex Tech Athletics (@ETAthletics) ▪ After coaching Somerset-Berkley boys' basketball to Bob Slater is hanging up his whistle. The 1987 Attleboro graduate volunteered at his alma mater and was on staff for a state championship run in 1998. He joined Somerset-Berkley's staff in 2002, becoming JV coach in 2005, and varsity head coach in 2009. Slater led the Blue Raiders to the D2 state semifinals in 2023 and was given Globe Coach of the Year honors. This winter he led the Blue Raiders to a 24-1 record capped with a stunning 65-44 win over three-time defending champion Malden Catholic in the state championship. 'It's a good way to go out,' Slater said. 'It's special to go out with this group after the successes we've had the past few years.' Advertisement 7. College corner ▪ Will Jones , Jordan Gottesman , and Charlie Walker were among five Northeastern baseball players named to the Northeast All-Region First Team, while Aiven Cabral earned second team recognition. Jones, a graduate student and Hamilton-Wenham graduate, went 11-1 with a 2.62 ERA over 15 starts, striking out 75 in 72 innings and setting a program record for wins in a season. Gottesman, a graduate student and Acton-Boxborough graduate, was 9-2 with a 2.27 ERA over 16 appearances, striking out 97 in 83 1/3 innings. Walker, a junior and Milton graduate, was 4-0 with seven saves and a 1.29 ERA in 16 appearances, striking out56 in 48 2/3 innings. Cabral, a junior and St. Mary's graduate, went 10-3 with a 2.92 ERA over 16 starts, striking out 74 in 89 1/3 innings. Three pitchers were named to the First Team with one on the Second Team. The whole rotation plus Charlie Walker 😎 🧵 (2/2) — Northeastern Baseball (@GoNUbaseball) ▪ Dartmouth senior rower Jenna Martin , a Wayland graduate, was named an honorable mention CRCA All-American. Martin was a member of the Big Green's varsity eight that finished fourth at the Princeton Chase, beating Virginia and Harvard. Dartmouth teammate and fellow Wayland resident Aine Ley , who attended the Groton School, was also a CRCA honorable mention All-American following her junior season. Congratulations to Jenna and Áine, who have been named CRCA All-Americans! 📰 | — Dartmouth Women's Rowing (@DartmouthWRow) Brendan Kurie can be reached at
Chicago Tribune
08-06-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
The best ever? Ohio State recruit Christian Teresi and Marist make case with state championship. ‘It's awesome.'
Marist's Christian Teresi wasn't going to argue with his coach. Jordan Vidovic proclaimed that the RedHawks are the best team in Illinois to ever play the sport. After they won their second straight state title, the Ohio State-bound Teresi quickly agreed. 'Of course I want to stay humble,' Teresi said. 'But I'm going to agree with him 100% on that. We went to California and beat the No. 1 team in the nation (Mira Costa). 'I feel like that was a big accomplishment for an Illinois high school. And now we won the state championship again. It's awesome.' Teresi continued his role as an awesome do-it-all player Saturday. The senior setter/right-side hitter produced 14 kills on a .619 hitting percentage to lead Marist to a 25-20, 25-20 victory over Glenbard West in the boys volleyball state championship match at Hoffman Estates. While Teresi added 15 assist and seven digs for the RedHawks (40-2), MIT recruit Nathen Toth tallied 11 kills, Jacob Finley notched 18 assists and Rorey Donnelly delivered 11 digs. Charlie Clifford led the Hilltoppers (36-6) with eight kills in a match that featured 21 ties and four lead changes. But the several times Marist needed a big play, Teresi usually provided it. 'I was telling Jacob, our setter, to keep setting me because they were not stopping me at all,' Teresi said. 'I was just going on a roll and I wanted to keep getting set. 'These are the games where I really want to stand out. There are a lot of people watching. I know we played Glenbard twice during the season, but we knew coming into this game, this was going to be a brand-new team.' It's the second straight state title in boys volleyball, third overall for the boys and third straight for Vidovic, who won in 2024 with the boys in the spring and then the girls team in the fall. Earlier in the day, Marist beat Lane Tech 25-15, 25-19 in the semifinals. Toth totaled six kills and five aces to lead the RedHawks, while Teresi chipped in with four kills and eight assists. Finley recorded eight assists and Donnelly had seven digs against Lane (35-7). Marist then put an exclamation point on a season in which the RedHawks went 30-0 against Illinois teams and dropped just one set — Friday against Lake Park in the state quarterfinals. That had Vidovic excited about placing this team at the top of the state's history list. 'There is no doubt in my mind because we went out and did it,' he said. 'Everybody else is hypothetical and we went out and played the best of the best. We went toe-to-toe with the most stacked high school volleyball teams … probably ever. 'I've been around some great Illinois teams as a player, as a spectator, as a sibling, as a coach, and I've seen some phenomenal teams, but the way the game is played right now, the speed and the way the ball is travelling, there was nothing like that back then.' Teresi closed a four-year varsity career with one more big match under his belt as a goodbye. 'I've never seen a player as compete as Christian — not at all,' Toth said. 'He can do everything. He's super athletic. He's got a wicked arm swing. I really don't know what this kid can't do. 'I don't know how you can go up there on the block and stop him.' About the only thing Saturday night that could almost stop Teresi was a question about if this year's title felt better than a year ago. It was almost like asking a parent who the favorite child is. 'I don't know … I think this year was more exciting for our team,' Teresi said. 'Well, actually I think last year was more exciting because it was our first one. 'But this was better because of us winning last year.'
Chicago Tribune
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Jacob Finley, wearing No. 5, keeps Marist alive to avoid state quarterfinal upset. His reaction? ‘We've got this.'
Why was senior setter Jacob Finley wearing No. 5 for Marist and why was the public-address announcer calling him Wyatt Olszewski during Friday's state quarterfinals? Shortly before the match, the RedHawks changed uniforms because Illinois High School Association officials said their numbers were too hard to read. Some players found theirs in alternate gray uniforms. Finley, who usually wears No. 12, ended up with Olszewski's jersey. But Finley wasn't paying attention to the announcer. 'I was really zoned in,' he said. 'I zoned out the crowd and focused on the court and my teammates.' Marist was out of its comfort zone for a little while, but after losing its first set to an Illinois team all season, the RedHawks recovered and pulled off a 17-25, 25-14, 25-21 win over Lake Park at Hoffman Estates. Ohio State-bound Christian Teresi paced Marist (38-2) with 15 kills and 13 assists. MIT recruit Nathen Toth tallied six kills and Finley added 12 assists. That put the defending state champion RedHawks into an 11 a.m. Saturday semifinal against Lane Tech (34-6), which earned a 25-21, 21-25, 25-18 win over Wheaton-Warrenville South (32-8) . Finley, who will be heading to South Alabama for college, is giving up competitive volleyball. Even though the Redhawks struggled mightily in the first game, Finley remained confident that his high school career wasn't coming to an end Friday. 'I knew we could come back — we've done it before in California,' Finley said, referring to a trip the RedHawks made in April. 'When we started off the second set hot, I was like, 'We got this.''' Sandburg was hoping to put a second Southland team into the semifinals but dropped a 25-23, 25-23 decision to O'Fallon in a match that featured 31 ties and eight lead changes. Sacred Heart recruit JT Snider totaled seven kills, Princeton commit Jeremiah Aro followed with six and Easton Donausky notched 19 assists for the Eagles (36-5), who were making their first quarterfinal appearance since 2016. Sutton Massey led the way with nine kills for O'Fallon (32-7), which needed to fend off five match points Tuesday against Lincoln-Way East to win 23-25, 21-29, 25-21 in the sectional final. Finley, meanwhile, shares setting duties with senior right-side hitter Teresi and the two are clicking. 'He brings a lot to the team in funny ways and serious ways,' Teresi said of Finley. 'We have our ups and downs, but we're at the point where we found our adjustment and it's paying off.' And it doesn't hurt to have a positive presence on the team. 'Finley is always the loudest in the gym,' Toth said. 'He's always the most positive guy. He's never afraid to admit when he has made a mistake, and he's a glue guy on the court.' On top of that, Finley puts a lot of energy into practices and games. 'You will never not hear him in our gym,' Marist coach Jordan Vidovic said. 'He gets the most out of what he wants to do. He came up with a huge dig (Friday) and I don't know if we won the point or not, but those are the spark plays and the energy plays and we needed that. 'He brings fun energy and comfort that settles everybody in.' While Finley said he received offers from other schools, the decision to walk away from volleyball wasn't easy. He confirmed he will miss playing the sport. 'I love the atmosphere with all of the parents and fans going crazy,' Finley said. 'I love my teammates. I love being there, and when we are in the gym together, nothing else matters. 'We work really hard and we are in it together. We all want the same thing, which is what I love.'
Chicago Tribune
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Neuqua Valley freshman Asha Kikama ensures ‘no one's going to get past her.' Not even Naperville Central.
Neuqua Valley's Asha Kikama was given a difficult assignment on Tuesday. The freshman defender had to mark Naperville Central star senior forward Callie Tumilty and had to move slightly out of position to do it. 'There's always nerves, but you gotta remember she's just a girl,' Kikama said. 'She goes to school like everyone else. So I have to bring the same intensity to her, keep her in front of me. 'As long as she doesn't shoot it, she's not going to score.' The Ohio State-bound Tumilty didn't score, mustering only two off-target shots, and neither did Naperville Central, which was shut out for the only time this season. The efforts by Kikama and other defenders like senior Chloe Orlow, plus a great goal by junior forward Alexis May, allowed the third-seeded Wildcats to upset the second-seeded Redhawks 1-0 in the Class 3A Naperville North Sectional semifinals. Neuqua Valley (16-3), which is in the sectional championship game for the first time since 2018, will play fourth-seeded Naperville North (14-5-3) at 5 p.m. Friday. 'I want to work as hard as I can for my whole team,' Kikama said. 'I have a good feeling, given that I gave everything I could have out there for my team and left everything on the field.' It's been that way all season for Kikama, who plays center back alongside Orlow. On Tuesday, though, Neuqua Valley coach Arnoldo Gonzalez had Kikama play defensive midfielder, slightly in front of Orlow. 'It was almost going back to my days and that stopper-sweeper position,' Gonzalez said. 'We just wanted that extra body in the middle playing a little bit high up. But if she needs that help, she can still tuck in.' The Redhawks (20-2-1), who had won 14 straight games since losing 2-1 to the Wildcats on April 8, nearly tucked away a goal 10 minutes after kickoff when senior midfielder Rebecca Ruggiero's header hit the crossbar. But they had few chances after that as Neuqua Valley defended vigorously all over the field, starting up top with Yale-bound senior forward Selma Larbi. 'Defensively, our plan was to just be extremely aggressive, to just go to every ball,' Larbi said. 'Then offensively, I knew I might have been outnumbered, so I just had to continue to run at them and try to force like a bad ball or like a bad kick.' The tactic disrupted Naperville Central's rhythm, and the Wildcats' confidence soared when May received a pass from freshman midfielder Caitlin King and ripped a 20-yard shot inside the right post with 37:32 left in the second half. Kikama and her teammates then held off every rush by the Redhawks. 'She was playing out of position tonight,' Orlow said. 'She stepped into the midfield, and she showed that she could play anywhere on the field. 'She's going to work her heart out out there so that we can keep the ball. Callie got nothing on her.' Larbi was impressed but not stunned. 'Asha is extremely consistent,' Larbi said. 'She's a very good player. It's not just this game. She's done well in almost every single game that we played this season. She's extremely, extremely aggressive, and it's really, really hard to get past her. 'As you can see tonight, a lot of the central attackers had a really hard time getting past her. She's just a wall, and she has the mindset that no one's going to get past her.' This mindset was even more prevalent down the stretch, when Kikama made two clean slide tackles in her box. That's a tactic rarely used at the high school level due to the risk, and Gonzalez sometimes warns her to be careful. 'But she's very confident,' Gonzalez said. 'She really reads the game well, so she's anticipating for the most part. She is never really getting stuck committing fouls. 'She plays on the edge, keeps you on the edge of the seat. But she's really good at what she does, which is anticipating and recovery.' Soccer talent runs in Kikama's family. Her father, Kividi, played at SIU-Edwardsville. Her brother Ayel, 20, played for Neuqua Valley, and her brother Aton, 16, plays club soccer. But playing great defense also requires confidence. Kikama said that comes from experience and supportive teammates. 'The bench is always cheering on everyone, and especially Chloe was telling me, 'You got it,'' Kikama said. 'Everyone is building you up together. That gives you a lot.'
