September 14, 2025 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Bigger, Vallee lift SJO volleyball back on winning track

The St. Joseph-Ogden High School volleyball team responded the right way after an emotional, close loss last Thursday night to St. Thomas More.

With two convincing road wins.

The visiting Spartans easily defeated Rantoul 25-16, 25-7 on Tuesday night in Illini Prairie Conference action, which came 24 hours after a resounding 25-9, 25-10 nonconference win at Gibson City-Melvin Sibley on Monday night.

The two-match win streak the Spartans are on comes after a tough 25-21, 20-25, 20-25 home loss to STM last Thursday in Illini Prairie play.

The Spartans (17-4, 1-1 Illini Prairie) will look to keep their winning ways intact when they host Bloomington Central Catholic at 7 p.m. on Wednesday in league play, the only home match in the next week for SJO.

Senior Emily Bigger was an offensive catalyst for SJO against Rantoul, distributing 20 assists as three Spartans compiled at least six kills. Sophomore Kennedi Burnett had a team-high eight kills, while senior Katelyn Berry and junior Payton Vallee each posted six kills. Burnett (nine digs), senior Lacey Kaiser (seven digs) and Berry (five digs) chipped in defensively.

In the win against GCMS, Bigger directed the offense to the tune of 20 assists, while she also made seven digs and served four aces.
Vallee, Burnett and Berry sparked a balanced offensive showing, with the trio registering six kills apiece.

Burnett powered a team-high 13 kills and Berry also finished with double figures in kills by supplying 10 against STM, but the Sabers rallied past the Spartans during the final two sets. Bigger handed out 32 assists, while Kaiser (eight kills, seven digs), Berry (eight digs) and Burnett (eight digs) also contributed significantly.

After Wednesday night’s home match against Bloomington Central Catholic, the Spartans are off until a 7 p.m. nonconference match at Tri-Valley next Monday. The Spartans then have three other matches scheduled for next week: 7 p.m. on Oct. 8 at rival Unity, 7 p.m. on Oct. 10 at home against Pontiac and at noon on Oct. 12 at home against Chillicothe Illinois Valley Central.

Banner
Related Posts

Live at Ogden Village Board, Sept. 5, 2024

September 5, 2024

September 5, 2024

I am here so you don’t have to be. It’s a jammed packed house. Maybe for the zoning? They are...

Earley, Altenbaumer help SJO baseball off to solid start

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

Playing a difficult schedule is a staple of the St. Joseph-Ogden baseball program under coach Josh Haley. So is winning...

Spartans end losing streak

December 5, 2022

December 5, 2022

The St. Joseph-Ogden High School girls’ basketball team needed a win on Thursday night.Not in the worst possible way. But...

C and C Pretties

August 10, 2024

August 10, 2024

Tell me about your business. I sell is Hairbows,Dish scrubbies,  badge reels  scrunches, and beaded pens and soon will offer...

Five question Friday with SJO senior soccer player Will Page

September 9, 2022

September 9, 2022

What is the best part about playing soccer for SJO? The community and fans are good, and my teammates are...

‘I am proud of all of us’ by Kristen Costa

June 16, 2020

June 16, 2020

To the St. Joseph-Ogden High School Class of 2020, when I began writing this speech, I didn’t even know where...

Get to know our little princess candidates: Chloe Teare 

August 9, 2024

August 9, 2024

What is your favorite part of summer? Going to the pool and the fair! What do you want to be...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, August 27, 2024

August 27, 2024

August 27, 2024

I am making my triumphant return to the live blog. On tap tonight, approving the women’s club Christmas Parade, maybe...

How does a TIF work?

February 11, 2025

February 11, 2025

How does TIF work?A geographic area is designated as a TIF district. 


 Property owners in the district pay the same...

Forest preserve wants residents to hike 30 trails

July 5, 2024

July 5, 2024

If you like to stay active, the Champaign County Forest Preserve has a way to help. The District has created...

Saturday’s SJO sports roundup: Franzen fares well in Peoria

September 16, 2024

September 16, 2024

Detweiller Park in Peoria is where every high school cross-country runner in Illinois wants to endits season at. It’s the...

Get to know our little princess candidates: Keeley Mackenzie

August 9, 2024

August 9, 2024

1. What is your favorite part of summer? Swimming! 2. What do you want to be when you grow up?...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, May 13, 2025

May 13, 2025

May 13, 2025

I am here so you don’t have to be. It’s Mayor Tami Fruhling-Voges’ last meeting and Jim Page’s first meeting...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, Sept. 24, 2024

September 24, 2024

September 24, 2024

I am watching on Zoom so you don’t have to. (I was sick today or else I would be in...

Comments
Leave a Reply