Elmhurst sports back in full swing
Ben Luke fighting off a cross check. Internet Photo.
After a year of canceled on-campus sports, the buzz is back. Basketball is underway and the swim team is starting their season. Baseball is holding tryouts for this upcoming season, and for the first time ever, football is starting in the spring. In this issue, we will be covering every sport on campus and catch you up on all the latest Bluejays’ news.
Men’s Basketball
Continuing success: Bluejays mirror 2020 season.
After having their successful 2019-2020 season cut short due to COVID-19, the men’s basketball team has picked up right where they left off. Despite having the first four games being postponed and a heartbreaking loss to Carroll University their first game back, the Bluejays went on a six-game winning streak to solidify the number three seed in the conference standings. The Bluejays averaged 79.3% points per game during their win streak and had players like Ocean Johnson, Lavon Thomas, and Jay Militello break out averaging 37.5% points a game between the three of them. Senior Dominic Genco has also put on a show this season putting up just over 13 points per game with 16 steals. The Bluejays enter the CCIW tournament as the third seed and will take on Carroll University in the quarter final.
Women’s Basketball
Clipped wings: Bluejays stopped short in quarter final.
The 2020-21 women’s basketball season came to a disappointing close following a 77-52 loss to Illinois Wesleyan University. The 2020-21 season was not kind to the Bluejays, finishing with a regular season record of 3-9 and solidified the seventh seed in the tournament. Although this season was rather forgettable, there were a few bright spots. Senior Marissa Urso averaged 8.5 points a game, with 20 of those coming against powerhouse Wheaton College. Senior Courtney O’Donnell had a season high 18 points against Carroll University in January. The Bluejays averaged just under 70 points per game in their three wins. While this was not the ideal way the women’s team wanted to go out, the future looks bright. The team has ten freshmen on the roster, like Payton Schmidt, who provided depth scoring for the Bluejays this season with over 4.5 points a game.
Men’s Lacrosse
Hitting the Ground Running: Men’s Lacrosse off to a 2-0 start.
The lacrosse season is officially underway and the Bluejays are off to the races early, winning their first two games at home. The Bluejays ousted Milwaukee School of Engineering (MOE), 12-7 to open the season and dominated Marian University 20-4. The Bluejays have been led by sophomore attackman Ben Luke, who has 12 goals in 2 games and 14 points on the season. With the cancellation of their game against Concordia University, the upcoming schedule features a solid matchup against Aurora University, a home game versus DePauw University, and then a four-game road trip where they will be battling Benedictine University, University of Northwestern-Minnesota, Transylvania University, and Hanover College.
Women’s Volleyball
Ace High: Bluejays record 17 aces in two matches.
The Bluejays are off to a fantastic start winning their first two matches against Wheaton College and Augustana College. Junior Valerie Thomas has led the Bluejays with five Aces, all of which came against Wheaton College. Sophomore Erin Murray leads the team in assists with 62 and senior Taylor Zurliene is responsible for 26 of the Bluejays’ kills over the first two contests. They currently sit on top of the conference standings with Millikin University. The next contest is Tuesday, March 9, against Carthage College at 5 p.m.