Lemont HS Girls Volleyball Remains Disqualified After Cook County Hearing

LEMONT, IL — The Lemont High School girls volleyball team's post-season disqualification stands, after a Cook County judge declined a request for an emergency temporary restraining order, the school said Friday.

After the IHSA Board of Directors denied the school's appeal to reinstate eligibility on Wednesday, the school filed a verified complaint in the Circuit Court of Cook County.

"This complaint was filed in an effort to seek an emergency temporary restraining order that would temporarily prevent the IHSA from ruling Lemont’s volleyball team ineligible for the 2023 IHSA State Series until such time as the court could hear and review further argument and evidence," the school said.

Circuit Judge of the Chancery Division Kate Moreland was assigned the complaint and , was assigned the complaint and presided over the hearing on Thursday.

• Lemont Volleyball 1 Of 4 Programs Declared Ineligible By IHSA

After hearing from legal counsel from both Lemont High School and its co-plaintiffs, volleyball player Madalynn Skwarek and her father Michael Skwarek, as well as legal counsel representing the IHSA, Judge Moreland declined to grant the request for an emergency temporary restraining order, LHS said.

With the judge's decision, the team's postseason disqualification remains in place.

"We respect the judge’s decision, but of course are disappointed in this outcome," the school said. "We have pursued every reasonable option on behalf of our student-athletes to give them an opportunity to continue their season. We are truly sorry that despite these efforts, they will not be able to do so."

The girls team had 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.