April 5, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Close matches highlight SJO volleyball’s opening week

The results of the first week of the season don’t determine how the rest of a two-month season will play out.

Coach Abby McDonald’s St. Joseph-Ogden High School volleyball program has a track record of success, notably with a Class 2A state runner-up finish in 2016 and a third-place finish in 2A in 2019.

This year’s Spartans are trying to piece together their first win streak of the young season entering Monday’s home nonconference match against St. Teresa.

Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin defeated SJO 25-14, 21-25, 25-18 this past Thursday night in St. Joseph, with the Spartans sweeping Georgetown-Ridge Farm 25-8, 25-20 last Wednesday night at home and Maroa-Forsyth handing SJO a 26-24, 24-26, 25-17 home loss to open the season on Aug. 22.

Addie Roesch powered SJO (1-2) against G-RF with nine kills, while Peyton Williams and Shayne Immke each had five kills.

Taylor Hug (20 assists) and Sadie Ericksen (seven digs) also chipped in during the win against G-RF.

In the season opener against Maroa-Forsyth, Immke contributed 12 kills and six digs, while Hug had a double-double of 26 assists and 12 digs. Williams also contributed with six kills and three digs.

After Monday night’s home match with St. Teresa, slated for a 7 p.m. start, the Spartans hit the road to play at Mahomet-Seymour at 7 p.m. on Tuesday and are then back home at 7 p.m. on Thursday against Teutopolis.

SJO will hit the road again next Saturday, traveling to Mattoon for the day-long Mattoon Tournament. The Spartans are set to play five matches at the tournament, with pool-play matches against Pana (9 a.m.), Mt. Vernon (11 a.m.) and Mattoon (noon) before bracket play begins in the afternoon. Monticello, Neoga, Taylorville and Warrensburg-Latham are the other teams that will compete at the Mattoon Tournament.

Banner
Related Posts

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...

Panthers on the prowl for state title

May 18, 2019

May 18, 2019

St. Joseph Middle School Head Track and Field Coach Zachary Steele couldn’t be prouder of his team. “We had a...

SJO baseball adapting to strange times this spring: ‘The most difficult part is not seeing the players’

April 17, 2020

April 17, 2020

Ever since Josh Haley took control of the St. Joseph-Ogden High School baseball team, success has followed. So have solid...

It’s opening day for SJO softball

March 18, 2019

March 18, 2019

The expectations haven’t changed for the St. Joseph-Ogden High School softball team. Even with a new coach for the 2019...

Bagby picks Indiana State

March 21, 2019

March 21, 2019

Next year, Cassidy Bagby will be a Sycamore. Earlier this month, St. Joseph-Ogden senior Cassidy Bagby signed her letter of...

Red-hot SJO volleyball faces St. Teresa for regional championship

October 28, 2021

October 28, 2021

The St. Joseph-Ogden High School volleyball team concluded August with an impressive three-set win at St. Teresa. If the Spartans...

Seeley’s hat trick leads SJO soccer to first win

September 10, 2019

September 10, 2019

Prolific goal scoring highlighted both of St. Joseph-Ogden High School’s soccer matches last week. One went in favor of the...

SJO softball wins Mattoon Tournament, but fall twice in conference play

April 16, 2019

April 16, 2019

Coaches always are eager to see how their teams respond after losses. For St. Joseph-Ogden High School softball coach Larry...

On the call: Sjuts delivers in PA role for Spartans

September 20, 2019

September 20, 2019

Even if you don’t know his name, chances are you know his voice. For nearly 20 years Keith Sjuts has...

Nolan, Weaver help SJO football stay unbeaten

September 17, 2019

September 17, 2019

Two running backs topping 100 yards usually adds up to a good Friday night for a high school football team....

Vogelsang resigns as SJO soccer coach; superintendent expresses frustration over ‘unfortunate’ situation

December 20, 2019

December 20, 2019

St. Joseph-Ogden High School will need a new soccer coach for the 2020 season. Dan Vogelsang has resigned from the...

SJO football bows out in first round of playoffs

November 4, 2019

November 4, 2019

The St. Joseph-Ogden High School football team saw its season end this past Saturday with a 54-26 loss at Williamsville...

Dowing ties state home run record as SJO softball wins third straight game

May 10, 2019

May 10, 2019

Bailey Dowling is one home run away from cementing her name atop a state record. Add on the fact the...

Kaiser, Albrecht spark latest win by SJO volleyball

September 17, 2019

September 17, 2019

The St. Joseph-Ogden High School volleyball team kept right on rolling Monday night after placing second this past Saturday at...

SJO volleyball state preview: In the players’ own words

November 15, 2019

November 15, 2019

Before the St. Joseph-Ogden High School volleyball team plays Breese Mater Dei at noon on Friday in a Class 2A...

Comments
Leave a Reply