Sandburg Ends Summer On Top of the Heap

Sandburg's girls volleyball team played four matches in a span of five hours Thursday night at Palos Courts, winning all four to finish its summer league at 13-2 and in first place out of 16 teams.

The Eagles didn't lose a game Thursday night, defeating Marian Catholic (25-20, 25-20), Lincoln-Way North (25-11, 25-19), Lincoln-Way West (25-12, 25-15) and Lincoln-Way East (25-12, 25-23) in the title match.

On Friday, and the challenges his Eagles will face when they begin the regular season in late August.

Other results of note:

• Lincoln-Way East reached the final by beating Providence 20-25, 25-19, 18-16.
• To get to the semifinal, Lincoln-Way West defeated Lockport 15-25, 27-25, 22-20.
• Bloom won the consolation bracket by edging Jones Prep 25-27, 25-23, 15-7.

Bates Signs Letter of Intent

Sandburg standout pitcher/second baseman Nick Bates has signed a National Letter of Intent to play baseball at Saint Louis University, according to the team's official site. Bates joins a Billikens squad that won the Atlantic 10 Conference in 2010.

Orland Resident Ties for 8th in Illinois Open

Rich Dukelow, 42, of Orland Park, finished in a tie for eighth place in the Illinois Open at Hawthorn Woods Country Club.

Dukelow shot 68-72-72 for a 212 total (1 under par), 10 shots behind winner Philip Arouca. Dukelow is a PGA teaching professional at Cantigny Golf Academy in Wheaton.

National Press for Verzbicas

Competitor.com, an active sports website, has published an exclusive interview with Sandburg alumnus and cross country phenom Lukas Verzbicas. In the interview, Verzbicas talks about his recent two-mile record and his goals for the remainder of the summer.

Billo Stifles South Bend

Former Sandburg pitching standout Greg Billo has a sparkling 1.48 ERA for the Kane County Cougars. Billo improved to 8-2 with a recent win over the South Bend SilverHawks in which he took a no-hitter into the sixth inning.

He also has a save, and opponents are hitting a paltry .223 against the 21-year-old right-hander. The Cougars are part of the Kansas City Royals farm system, known around baseball as being very deep in pitching prospects.