Lemont HS Girls Volleyball Ineligible For State Series After IHSA Violation

LEMONT, IL — Lemont High School's girls volleyball team was declared ineligible by the Illinois High School Association to compete in the 2023 IHSA state series on Tuesday.

The team was set to play in the regional opener on Tuesday.

According to a statement released by the school, Lemont is in violation of the IHSA’s Contest Limitation by-law (5.323), which states, “No Girls Volleyball team representing a member school shall, in any one season, participate in more than thirty-five (35) matches exclusive of the IHSA State series.”

Lemont played in 36 matches in advance of the 2023 IHSA State Series, the school said.

“I am heartbroken for our players, coaches, and families,” Director of Activities and Athletics John Young said in the statement. “Understandably, they are very upset, and they have every right to be. Our student-athletes did nothing wrong. I am very sorry our players are forced to pay for my mistake. This was an inadvertent scheduling oversight, and not an intentional act made in an effort to subvert IHSA rules.”

The team's schedule included 17 standalone matches and four tournaments, according to the school. Due to the team’s success throughout the season, it played 19 matches within those four tournaments. Its season finale against Chicago Christian on Oct. 18 pushed Lemont past the allowable number of regular season matches.

The school said that when it was made aware of the violation of IHSA rules, school administrators offered several remediation options to the IHSA in an effort for Lemont’s student-athletes to be able to participate in the postseason.

"Unfortunately, none of what we offered was acceptable to IHSA administrators," the school said.

The team forfeited the regional opener against Chicago Christian on Tuesday, and is ineligible for this year's state series. Lemont High School is also required to submit a written plan detailing corrective measures it will take to make sure the school is in compliance with IHSA by-law 5.323, the school said.

Additionally, under IHSA by-law 6.010, Lemont High School is placed on probation for one year. This probationary status does not deprive the school of any of its privileges as an IHSA school, the school said.

Lemont posted a 27-9 record (before the Oct. 18 forfeit) during the regular season, and after posting a perfect 13-0 record in league play, won the program’s ninth straight South Suburban Conference title. It earned the top seed in the IHSA Class 3A Lemont Sectional, and was scheduled to open IHSA Regional play the same day it was ruled ineligible.