[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 136 (Friday, September 27, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1760]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         TRIBUTE TO OUR LADY OF THE RIDGE VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM O. LIPINSKI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 26, 1996

  Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
outstanding group of volleyball players in my district. This special 
group of players are students at Our Lady of the Ridge High School in 
Chicago Ridge, IL. What makes this group stand out and shine is that 
when other schools were out for the summer, this group of players 
extended their season into late June and captured their program's first 
national title. This is truly a momentous triumph and I am very proud 
to represent such a fine group of young women in Congress.
  This year's Amateur Athletic Union Junior National Volleyball 
Championships were held in Des Moines, IA, on June 21-25. This year, a 
division was started which included volleyball players ages 10 years 
and younger. The division was created to allow younger players to 
compete in the national competition. This year, 10 young ladies from 
last season's fourth grade team received maximum benefit from the 
exposure.
  The team was led by tournament MVP Jessica Strama and All-Americans 
Kellie and Katie Pratl. Additionally, Elizabeth Rutan, Cori Omiecinski, 
Megan Liston, Laura Dirschl, and Katherine Casey played an important 
role in their aggressive floor play during the game. Stefanie Krawisz 
and Lauren Uher were top in their field outstanding serving ability 
during the game. The Our Lady of the Ridge team was coached by Milena 
Strama and Ron Pratl. The team ended its season with an impressive 77-
23 record. Finally, the team could not have come as far as they did if 
it were not for their many sponsor and supporters from the parish 
community of Our Lady of the Ridge. As the team coach Ron Pratl said, 
``There was a team of supporters that made it possible for us to get 
here, and then there was the team that won the gold. My hat goes off to 
all of them.''
  Mr. Speaker, I am very proud to have such a fine group of players and 
supporters in my district. This group of hard working young volleyball 
players are truly an inspiration and I am pleased to be given the 
opportunity to honor their hard work today.

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