Volleyball 'OK' despite lack of female officials

The IHSA is looking for a few good women.

According to figures provided by the IHSA, only 10 percent of the approximately 14,000 licensed high school officials in Illinois are women, and their numbers are dwindling.

‘‘We are looking into why we are losing so many women, and once we get them, why we cannot retain them,’’ IHSA assistant executive director Sue Hinrichsen said.

In terms of the number of officials licensed per sport, volleyball is in good shape, Hinirchsen said. However, emerging sports like lacrosse and water polo and even established sports like soccer, gymnastics and swimming are in desperate need of officials.

The IHSA’s pool of officials is also aging. The average age of a licensed official, regardless of sex, is 50.

Look ahead

Wheaton Warrenville South, with only two seniors on the roster, figures to be the preseason choice in 2009 as Illinois’ No. 1 team. Other top teams in the Chicago area will be Vernon Hills with Keegan Harris and Ernie Choi, Glenbard East with Mark Jones, Peter Dabrowski and Tim Lovik, Marist with Joe Smalzer and sophomore David Nelson, and Sandburg with sophomores Tyler Parks and Pat Schulte.

They’re back

Oak Park once ranked among the most dominant teams in the Chicago area, reaching the state quarterfinals nine times in 14 years. The Huskies appears to have the talent to return to elite status. Among the players returning from the 2008 quarterfinalist are 6-2 sophomore setter Tim Schmidt and juniors Mark Brady, Ben Keller, Marty Finnegan, Sam Hines and Ben Rains.

Celtic ride

Providence was on an emotional rollercoaster during its semifinal loss to WW South.

‘‘Even though we were down, I knew it wasn’t over,’’ Providence setter Jonathan Gustafson said. ‘‘We had come back before from worse odds. But all the props to them [WW South]. They did a good job keeping their cool when we were going insane during our comeback.’’