Nolan Krygsheld’s first volleyball season at Loras was a success.
The 6-foot-5 junior outside hitter transfer from Lindenwood helped the Duhawks go 18-5 overall and reach the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin championship match.
And the Chicago Christian graduate was named to the All-CCIW Second Team.
“Nolan has been an incredible addition to Loras,” Duhawks head coach Dylan Ross said in an email. “He is so dynamic from all levels of the game from the frontcourt, backcourt and from the service line.
“I am proud of the way he is growing into being a leader on and off the court. Being a South Sider myself (Ross is an Oak Forest graduate), it is a lot of fun to see these kids come to Loras and grow into men here. Nolan is a phenomenal example of that.”
Krygsheld averaged 2.63 kills per set, which was ninth in the conference, and 2.23 digs per set which was fifth. Krygsheld also placed eighth in the CCIW in points per set (3.12) while starting 22 of 23 matches.
“It was an honor playing this season at Loras with my teammates and coaches,” Krygsheld said in an email. “Every time we practiced, we had the standard of giving it our all like it was gameday, which pushed and helped us develop in the right direction.
“Finding a coach and teammates who have a similar start and the same mindset of getting better every day has been an amazing journey that I’m so glad I got to be a part of. I can’t wait to do the same next year.”
● Eleven local student-athletes earned berths on the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll. To be eligible for the award, student-athletes must maintain a 3.20 or higher overall grade-point average during the academic semester that coincides with their respective sports.
Honored were Fordham football players Michael Donegan (Marist), Collin Gerger (St. Rita) and Tristan Wright (Curie); Lafayette football player Nick Strelczyk (St. Rita); Bucknell men’s soccer players Collin and Jackson Sullivan (Lyons); American women’s volleyball player Elise Sterling (Sandburg); Bucknell women’s volleyball player Tijana Kostic (Lyons); Lehigh women’s volleyball player Ufuoma Omene (Marist); American women’s cross country runner Scarlett Lestina (Lyons) and Colgate football player Noah Pfafflin (Lyons).
● Western Illinois baseball player Kenneth Perez (De La Salle) was one of six athletes to receive Ohio Valley Conference honorable mention for the week ending April 14.
The freshman infielder batted .555 (10 of 18) with four runs, a double, two home runs and six RBI in four games.