Volleyball, cross country season kick off

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The golf balls, tennis balls, soccer balls and footballs have already been hit or kicked around this fall. Volleyballs will come out Tuesday along with the pounding of the cross country turf.

In volleyball, the stage is set for some high drama on opening night when Hall rookie coach Dani Zellmer leads the Lady Devils out to the floor for the first time against her alma mater, Putnam County.

On the other side of the county, Princeton makes the trek to Bureau Valley to renew acquaintances with the Storm. There is a possibility this match will be the last regular season match between the county rivals due to Bureau Valley's need to adjust its schedule with Kewanee joining it in the Three Rivers next season.

Princeton and Bureau Valley will get things off and running first in cross country, meeting at City-County Park at 4:15 p.m. They will be joined by IVC and Henry/Midland. The Hall Harriers will also kick off their season at 4 p.m. at Mendota.

All-BCR preseason: The outlook for the area cross country season is bright all around with top talent returning from last year's all-BCR team. The BCR preseason team includes Emma Makransky and Alix Forristall from Princeton, Liz Mosbach and Daniela Acamovic from Hall, Cassie Olson from Bureau Valley and Lucy Stanke from St. Bede.

For the boys, preseason picks are Scott Janusick and TJ Mosbach from Hall, Derrick Johnson, Nate DeVenney and Trent Johnson from Bureau Valley and Zach Kieffer and Jacob Mead from Princeton for the boys.

In golf, the BCR preseason team is highlighted by a pair of aces in Hall's Nick Rounds, the 2008 co-Golfer of the Year, and Princeton's Collin Slattery. Joining them are BV's Jordan Twidell and Alex Knisely and Hall's Ben Dagraedt.

The lead foursome for the girls on the links are St. Bede's Bekki Prokup and Olivia Dean, Bureau Valley's Abby Nielsen and Princeton's Alizabeth Fiorini,

The BCR preseason team for volleyball starts in Princeton with setter Molly Stephens, outside hitter Jacquie Kane and libero Sylvie Tracy return from last year's state squad and all-BCR first team. The 2009  preseason team will add some firepower in Bureau Valley seniors Lauren Hasbrook and Melanie Thompson, Hall junior Mickey Victor and senior Katelyn Raineri, who will be looked to help replace all-stater  Kendall Rush at the net.