LTHS Spring Sports Part IV: Boys Volleyball, Girls Softball

This is the last of a four-part series previewing spring sports at Lyons Township and covering teams' early progress. For Part I, go . For Part II, go . For Part III, go . For our separate preview of the baseball team, go .

Boys Volleyball—Months after winning a class 4A girls volleyball state championship and being named national volleyball coach of the year by prepvolleyball.com, Joann Pyritz is back to work, this time with the Lyons boys volleyball squad.

Despite touting a 25-13 record and reaching the 2010 sectional final, the boys team will have to pick up the slack for key losses to graduation.

“We had a lot of seniors who were starters for two years, so that’s valuable skill and valuable leadership,” Pyritz said. “The only returning starter is [senior] Mark Hogan.”

Seniors Jack O’ Malley, Jack Gouty and other incoming varsity contributors will need to step up in order to fill the void in experience.

“Our goal is to be consistent in passing and defense,” Pyritz said. “We always have a goal of trying to be at the top of the conference and of trying to advance as far as we can through the season as far as we can. But, I think you need to set some incremental goals, so in that way they are realistic and attainable.”

The Lions are 5-1 early in their campaign and travelled to Downers Grove South on Thursday looking to claim a non-conference victory against the Mustangs.

Girls Softball—Coming off a strong 2010, Lyons girls softball squad is looking to take the next step in 2011. Season highlights included a St. Charles Tournament title and a trip to the regional championship.

Coached by former girls basketball head coach Dawn Schabacker, the Lions are putting in the effort in practice to progress deeper into the postseason this time around.

“We currently are working very hard on our defense and hitting gaps with people on base,” Schabacker said. “We are also working with our pitching and base running everyday.”

Early on, Lyons’ record stands at 2-2, with a 5-0 victory over Morton and a dramatic, walk-off win thriller over Glenbard East, 10-9. Senior Karen Caithamer was 4-4 with four doubles in the game, with senior Alyssa Smith’s three-run homer tying the game in the seventh inning to bring the Lions level.

As far as future expectations go, Schabacker insists the team must remain tough the rest of the year.

 “[The team’s goals] are to challenge every team in conference and put ourselves in a position to win every game,” Schabacker said. “We also want to have a strong finish in the playoffs.”

Lyons next faces Downers Grove North on Friday at home.