January 22, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Kaiser’s positivity a plus on court

Lacey Kaiser is a positive presence on the volleyball court.

So much so, that her coach Abby McDonald nominated her for St. Joseph-Ogden Student-Athlete of the month.

“Lacey is one of the greatest kids I’ve ever coached,” said McDonald. “She works hard and is the true definition of a teammate.”

McDonald said Kaiser’s positivity is a key to her success.

“Lacey is one of the most positive kids on the court,” McDonald said. “She has been willing to play any position on varsity and she has the best interests of the team at heart.”

For her part, Kaiser said it was an honor to be nominated as student-athlete of the month.

“To know my handwork and dedication doesn’t go unnoticed,” she said. “I wouldn’t be the player I am today without my coaches and teammates I have had throughout the years.”

Kaiser said the best part of being a student-athlete at SJO is the amount of support the athletes get throughout the community.

“This was seen when we held a benefit for teammate, Anna Wentzloff,” she said.

Kaiser said the most difficult part of being a student-athlete as managing school work and sports. Kaiser, who plans on majoring in nursing in college and hopes to continuing playing volleyball, said she enjoys any math class taught by Kiel Duval or Kelly Steffen.

“Because of the enthusiasm they have for their students to learn,” she said.

Banner
Related Posts

SJO girls’ track and field ready for sectional meet on Friday evening

May 10, 2019

May 10, 2019

The first few weeks of a track and field season are sometimes about finding out what runners to slot into...

Road tough: Jones, Armstrong key unbeaten Illini Prairie start for SJO girls’ basketball

January 20, 2022

January 20, 2022

The Illini Prairie Conference title is there for the taking. And the St. Joseph-Ogden High School girls’ basketball team has...

5 questions with TREVOR AMES

March 1, 2024

March 1, 2024

How would you describe this team? This team is special. What is a lesson you have learned this season? Having...

Izard, Cain, Pence key SJO boys’ basketball to sixth-place finish at State Farm Holiday Classic

January 3, 2020

January 3, 2020

The small-school State Farm Holiday Classic ended on a sour note for the St. Joseph-Ogden High School boys’ basketball team....

Wells, defense shine as balanced SJO girls’ basketball team wins regional title

February 22, 2022

February 22, 2022

The high school girls’ basketball season has taken St. Joseph-Ogden High School all across the state of Illinois. With plenty...

SJO girls’ track and field wins eighth straight sectional title, qualifies 13 athletes for state

May 13, 2019

May 13, 2019

Winning sectional titles and sending multiple athletes to the state meet. That’s the standard the St. Joseph-Ogden High School girls’...

5 question Friday with SJO Tennis Coach Kevin Martlage

October 14, 2022

October 14, 2022

We asked SJO Tennis Coach Kevin Martlage five questions. Here are his answers. What does it mean to you to...

Going the Distance: Smetzer excels at Western

October 17, 2019

October 17, 2019

Ross Smetzer has goals. The 2016 St. Joseph-Ogden High School graduate runs cross country and track for Western Illinois University...

Hamilton, relay team place first at conference meet for Spartans

May 2, 2019

May 2, 2019

The intensity of a postseason meet is right around the corner for the St. Joseph-Ogden High School girls’ track and...

SJO soccer to have new home in 2023, while issues arise about current field maintenance

July 14, 2022

July 14, 2022

The St. Joseph-Ogden High School soccer team is set to have a new home field for the 2023 season. SJO...

Harper sparks SJO soccer to another win

September 25, 2024

September 25, 2024

The St. Joseph-Ogden boys’ soccer team has proven this season it can find the back of theopponent’s net. Frequently. The...

They’re going to state! SJO volleyball continues dream season

November 9, 2019

November 9, 2019

All season long, the St. Joseph-Ogden High School volleyball team has risen to the occasion. The Spartans did so again...

5 Question friday

August 26, 2022

August 26, 2022

Each Friday we will ask some SJO athletes five questions. Up first, junior football player Ethan McElroy. What made you...

SJO softball vies for 11th straight regional title on Saturday

May 16, 2019

May 16, 2019

A year ago, the St. Joseph-Ogden High School softball team defeated Maroa-Forsyth to win a Class 2A sectional title. On...

Spartans look for successful 2019 season

July 26, 2019

July 26, 2019

Although the calendar may still say July, the St. Joseph-Ogden high school football team has been busily preparing for the...

Comments
Leave a Reply