SEASPAR Vollyeball Teams Excel in Special Olympics Competition

Editor's note: This information is provided by SEASPAR. 

Spikers Blue 

The Spikers Blue team earned a gold medal in the Special Olympics tournament held in LaGrange on Sept. 25. Winning the gold medal earned them a trip to the state-level Fall Games tournament, held on Oct. 29 and 30 in Rockford. They placed third. 

The team also earned second place in the ITRS Tournament held on Oct. 2 in Orland Park. This was the team’s second straight year that they earned gold and a trip to state, proving that as a whole, the team is tough to beat.  

The team showed solid serving efforts from Christina Schutz and Wayne Neumann and defensively by David Svitak and Michele Forzely. The team said they improved quite a bit since last year, including the serving of Michele Forzley.  

SEASPAR Special Olympics Coordinator Aaron Hirthe said, “Spikers Blue displays teamwork, sportsmanship, and enthusiasm for the game which is parallel to none. It is a pleasure to be working in their corner.”

Spikers White 

The Spikers White team brought home the gold medal from the ITRS Tournament on Oct. 2, hosted by Orland Park Special Recreation and also earned a silver medal at the September 25 Special Olympics Tournament in LaGrange. 

This team dominated their practice game schedule, losing only a few of their practice games, preparing them for their tournament successes. 

The team said they improved quite a bit since last year, and grew with the addition of a few new players (Melissa Engelhardt and Doug McQuade).

Doug McQuade returned to the team after quite a few years of non-competition, and added a bit of firepower to the Spikers White serving arsenal, as well as a being a motivating and enthusiastic voice alongside his teammates. 

“This team practiced with vigor in the preseason, played hard during the season, and capped the season with a gold medal against other SRA’s at the ITRS Tournament hosted by Orland Park Special Recreation," SEASPAR Special Olympics Coordinator Aaron Hirthe said. "Their season was a success and the team had fun.  Bottom line…teams should be wary of the Spikers White in 2012!”