![CARTHAGE Carthage College’s men’s volleyball team is hoping for back-to-back Division III national championships. Photo by Carthage College.](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/CARTHAGE.jpg)
Carthage College’s men’s volleyball team is hoping for back-to-back Division III national championships. Photo by Carthage College.
College Report: Area alums gunning for back-to-back national titles with Carthage men’s volleyball
By Jeff Vorva
Staff Writer
This Marist/Chicago Christian/Lyons connection could lead Carthage College to another national title.
Marist setter Gene McNulty, Chicago Christian middle hitter Zach Bulthuis and Lyons outside hitter Matt Slivinski helped lead the defending national champs to the Final Four of the NCAA Division III men’s volleyball tournament with a pair of wins over the weekend in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
The Firebirds looked in championship form with a 25-22, 25-22, 25-17 victory over Dominican on April 16 in the quarterfinals, one day after beating Mount Union, 25-20, 25-15, 25-20 in the first round.
Against Mount Union, McNulty had 34 assists while Bulthuis smashed down a team-high 11 kills on a .389 hitting percentage. He added two solo blocks. Slivinski added 10 kills and six aces.
Against Dominican, McNulty had 44 assists while Bultheis had 14 kills and a whopping .765 hitting percentage. Slivinski added 11 kills and three block assists.
“A .765 in the quarterfinal against the third-ranked team in the country … it’s so absurd,” Carthage coach JW Kieckhefer said of Bulthuis’ performance.
Bulthuis said the outside hitting helped open up the middle game, and when he started having success that opened up the outside game again.
“It’s an awesome credit to everyone else on the team,” Bulthuis said. “Everyone playing to their best ability helps everyone play better. I wouldn’t have been able to hit .765 without everyone else doing their job.”
Carthage (22-3) will have home-court advantage, as it is hosting the Final Four semifinals and national championship match April 22 and 23, respectively. Carthage takes on the Wentworth Institute of Technology at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Stevens and Springfield are in the other semifinal.
The championship match is scheduled for 5 p.m. Saturday.
Cougars 0-2 in nationals
The good news is that before the NAIA men’s volleyball national tournament, Saint Xavier senior setter Joe Lock was a first-team All-American pick by the National Volleyball Association/American Volleyball Coaches Association, and Marist graduate Jake McClain, a middle hitter, was named and All-American honorable mention selection.
The bad news is that the Cougars were swept in two matches at the national tournament in West Des Moines, Iowa.
The Cougars, seeded 10th in the 12-team tournament, lost the first match 25-19, 26-24, 25-21 to No. 2 Ottawa University-Arizona on April 12, despite junior middle hitter Drew Ehlers having seven kills and a .583 hitting percentage.
Saint Xavier finished the season with a 25-18, 25-23, 28-26 loss to No. 7 Park (Missouri). Shane Ooms had 11 kills for the Cougars (26-11). Grant Ooms added seven kills, all in the third game.
Park, located in Parkville, Missouri, has a roster featuring 16 out of 17 players from outside the 50 states. The Pirates have several players from Brazil, as well as players from Puerto Rico, Portugal, Italy, Israel, Serbia and Spain.
Grand View won the national title with a 3-1 victory over Benedictine-Mesa.
Smyth on fire
Sant Xavier baseball player Jimmy Smyth was named baseball Player of the Week for Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference on April 12.
During the previous week, the Evergreen Park resident hit .552 and stole 11 bases in seven games.
Local News
![GSWNH_JohnTravis_020422 Mr. Travis](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/GSWNH_JohnTravis_020422.jpg)
A ‘winner all his life’
Spread the loveJohn Travis, star athlete, coach and teacher By Tim Hadac John W. Travis was a man who helped guide the lives of thousands of high school boys and girls across the Southwest Side. A physical education teacher at Kelly College Prep for more than 30 years, Mr. Travis died Jan. 24 at age…
![BBBlogo2021 BBBlogo2021](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/BBBlogo2021.png)
Think before you answer a Facebook quiz, BBB says
Spread the loveBy Better Business Bureau staff Social media is used as a fun distraction for some people, and taking a Facebook quiz may seem like a harmless way to pass the time. But are you giving away more information than you think? How the scam works A fun quiz pops up on your Facebook…
![joanhadac Joan Hadac](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/joanhadac.jpg)
Thank you, Karen Sala
Spread the loveBy Joan Hadac GSWNH Columnist At-Large As we all know, longtime Gage Park correspondent Karen Sala has decided to conclude her time with this column. Like every Greater Southwest News-Herald correspondent, Karen made the neighborhoods she served a better place. Thank you, Karen! That said, the search now begins for a new Gage…
![PeggyZabicki Peggy Zabicki](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/PeggyZabicki-1024x768.jpg)
Crime prevention starts with each of us
Spread the loveBy Peggy Zabicki Your correspondent in West Lawn 3633 W. 60th Place • (773) 504-9327 Hi neighbors! Before I say another thing, I want to wish my fellow columnist Karen Sala well. As you know, she wrote her final column last week. I love Karen’s style of writing. It’s conversational and natural. I always felt like she…
![MaryStanek Mary Stanek](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/MaryStanek-1-768x1024.jpg)
Plenty to celebrate in February
Spread the loveBy Mary Stanek Your correspondent in Archer Heights and West Elsdon 3808 W. 57th Place • (773) 284-7394 “February is the month when days start to get long and gloomy nights to shrink.” –Anonymous. Thank goodness there are only 28 days this year. We are getting closer to March. But it’s silly to…
![Funeral-Flowers.4 logo Funeral-Flowers.4 logo](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Funeral-Flowers.4-logo.jpg)
Obituaries Feb. 3, 2022
Spread the loveRONALD ADINT Ronald Adint, age 78, passed away December 17, 2021. Beloved husband of Cynthia, (nee Zalba) Adint; loving Father of Devin (Cynthia) Adint; dear grandfather of Rayna Adint, Nolan R. Adint, Micah D. Adint, and Kendra N. Adint; dearest brother of Nadia Adint, the late Victor Adint, and the late Leonard Adint.…
![regional republic services - Copy regional republic services - Copy](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/regional-republic-services-Copy.png)
Storm scrambles waste pickup in Palos Park
Spread the loveOn Wednesday afternoon, the Village of Palos Park was informed by Republic Services that waste pickup is cancelled in the village, and all other communities they serve, for Thursday, February 3, due to the continued closure of landfill sites from the hazardous winter conditions. Thursday waste service customers will need to hold their…
![CRRNH_IrishParade_020222 The neighborhood St. Patrick’s Day parade is a family-focused event, and those at the curb are often as colorful and interesting as those in the parade itself—as these parade goers proved in 2021. --Photo by Cosmo Hadac](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/CRRNH_IrishParade_020222-1024x678.jpg)
Archer Avenue may go green
Spread the loveSt. Patrick’s Day parade planned By Tim Hadac Organizers of Garfield Ridge’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade are hoping the Lightfoot Administration will give a green thumbs-up to the small but festive celebration of all things Irish. For each of the last two years, City Hall withdrew its support and denied permits based…
![regional orland fire 2-2-22 Orland firefighters enter an apartment building on Sunday morning. (Photo courtesy of Orland Fire Protection District)](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/regional-orland-fire-2-2-22.jpeg)
No injuries in basement fire in Orland Park apartment
Spread the loveFrom staff reports A basement fire damaged a four-unit apartment building early Sunday morning in Orland Park. The fire was extinguished quickly and damage was kept to a small area of the basement, although smoke filled the building. Officials of the Orland Fire Protection District said there were no injuries and the cause…
Neighbors
![After 9 months, state data begins to detail new pretrial detention system After 9 months, state data begins to detail new pretrial detention system](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/SCOIL-FILE-JN-opt2-cbthEX-1024x683.jpeg)
After 9 months, state data begins to detail new pretrial detention system
By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com Nine months after cash bail ended in Illinois, the state is taking its first steps in publishing the data that crafters of the bail reform law saw as essential to judging its effectiveness. The data shows that judges in the 75 counties served by the Illinois Supreme Court’s…
![ILLINOIS LAWMAKERS: Pritzker keeps economic development at forefront in exclusive interview ILLINOIS LAWMAKERS: Pritzker keeps economic development at forefront in exclusive interview](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ILLINOIS-LAWMAKERS-PRITZKER-opt1-JMjS50-1024x753.jpeg)
ILLINOIS LAWMAKERS: Pritzker keeps economic development at forefront in exclusive interview
By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com With fiscal year 2025 slated to begin Monday, Gov. JB Pritzker continues to tout available state tax incentives and promote Illinois as a site for business development. On the season finale of “Illinois Lawmakers” this week, Pritzker pointed to a pair of developments in East Alton and Normal…
![Pritzker calls SCOTUS emergency abortion ruling ‘small respite’ as state protections await his signature Pritzker calls SCOTUS emergency abortion ruling ‘small respite’ as state protections await his signature](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/240627-AVELAR-AA1-MkHa17-1024x682.jpeg)
Pritzker calls SCOTUS emergency abortion ruling ‘small respite’ as state protections await his signature
By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com Abortion remains legal as an emergency medical procedure in Idaho, for now, after a Thursday U.S. Supreme Court ruling, while a bill that would cement those protections in Illinois law awaits Gov. JB Pritzker’s signature. The 6-3 decision saw the three liberal justices concur with the order. Three…
![‘We don’t really know what we’re voting on,’ top Dem says of Pritzker’s prison plan ‘We don’t really know what we’re voting on,’ top Dem says of Pritzker’s prison plan](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/240614-Logan-Prison-yard-signs-DoZFBM-1024x768.jpeg)
‘We don’t really know what we’re voting on,’ top Dem says of Pritzker’s prison plan
By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com LINCOLN – On the eve of a scheduled vote to advise Gov. JB Pritzker’s administration on plans to close and rebuild a pair of dilapidated state prisons, hundreds filed into a junior high school gymnasium Thursday evening clad in matching green T-shirts. Printed on the shirts was a…
![SCOTUS ruling could upend federal corruption cases for Madigan, allies SCOTUS ruling could upend federal corruption cases for Madigan, allies](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/240103-MADIGAN-ALT-AA-Rcr9BK-1024x683.jpeg)
SCOTUS ruling could upend federal corruption cases for Madigan, allies
By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday narrowed the scope of a federal bribery law prosecutors have relied on in their cases against former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and several of his allies convicted of bribing him. A jury last spring found those allies – former lobbyists and…
![Quantum technology companies set for big tax incentives under new law Quantum technology companies set for big tax incentives under new law](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/240626-PRITZKER-AA-1ErpEg-1024x682.jpeg)
Quantum technology companies set for big tax incentives under new law
By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO – Gov. JB Pritzker on Wednesday gave final approval to a plan to bolster the state’s tech industry, including an incentives package – backed by $500 million in the state budget – aimed at making Illinois the nation’s leader in quantum computing. The package also expands tax…
![Illinois child tax credit: who gets it, how much is it? Illinois child tax credit: who gets it, how much is it?](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ctc-calcArtboard-1-4x-1001-t2mth2-1024x682.jpeg)
Illinois child tax credit: who gets it, how much is it?
By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com In the final hours of their spring legislative session, Illinois lawmakers approved a tax credit of up to about $300 for families with young children. The credit is available to Illinoisans with children under age 12 who qualify for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit, or EITC. Although…
![Illinois’ ban on ‘bump stocks’ remains in place despite U.S. Supreme Court decision Illinois’ ban on ‘bump stocks’ remains in place despite U.S. Supreme Court decision](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/240614-PRITZKER-AA1-ViOzVJ-1024x682.jpeg)
Illinois’ ban on ‘bump stocks’ remains in place despite U.S. Supreme Court decision
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – An Illinois law banning the sale and use of “bump stocks” and other devices that increase the firing power of semiautomatic weapons remains in place, at least for now, despite a U.S. Supreme Court decision Friday striking down a federal ban on such items. “Illinois law…
![Another Choate Mental Health Center employee indicted for abuse of resident Another Choate Mental Health Center employee indicted for abuse of resident](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/240610-CHOATE-CHARGE-OPT1-FB1xpE-1024x503.jpeg)
Another Choate Mental Health Center employee indicted for abuse of resident
By BETH HUNDSDORFER Capitol News Illinois bhundsdorfer@capitolnewsillinois.com Another caregiver at Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center in Anna is facing charges for abusing a patient. A grand jury indicted Joseph A. Clark, 24, of Grand Chain, on a felony charge of aggravated battery and a misdemeanor charge of battery. Clark pinned a Choate resident to…
![State highway shootings decline as critics sue over ‘dragnet surveillance’ State highway shootings decline as critics sue over ‘dragnet surveillance’](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/FLASHING-LIGHTS-SQUAD-POLICE-00971-ilpWzw-1024x682.jpeg)
State highway shootings decline as critics sue over ‘dragnet surveillance’
By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com Illinois State Police say an automated license plate reader program has helped the agency identify witnesses or suspects in 82 percent of highway shooting cases this year, including all eight that resulted in a death. But as the state looks to further expand its network of more than…