Junior outside hitter Quinn Grevengoed has impressed her dad Troy, who pulls double duty as the team’s coach, with how she has become more vocal this season for Chicago Christian.
While Quinn leads the team in kills, she has also turned up the volume for the Knights.
“She’s in Year 3 and has been more of a vocal leader,” Troy said. “It’s been fun to watch her take that role. I would have liked one more week, but I’m excited to see her do it one more season.”
Although Quinn hit the 400-kill mark, Chicago Christian’s season came to an end Monday with a 25-15, 22-25, 25-21 loss to Port Byron Riverdale in the Class 2A Mendota Supersectional.
L’Rae White led the Knights (29-11) with 14 kills, while Quinn Grevengoed added eight kills to eclipse 400 this fall. Lily Loerop served three aces. Sydney Harris had two blocks and two aces.
Kenadie Willemkens paced Port Byron Riverdale (26-10-1) with 14 kills and four aces. Cayleigh Hungate tallied nine kills and three aces. Sarah Mitton chipped in with six kills.
Chicago Christian’s Quinn Grevengoed (3) pushes a shot over the net against Port Byron Riverdale during the Class 2A Mendota Supersectional on Monday, Nov. 10, 2025. (Gary Middendorf / Daily Southtown)
In particular, Quinn Grevengoed had to use that vocal leadership during the second game Monday. Riverdale dominated the first game, so she felt the need to get her team going.
“It was so loud in here,” she said. “But after plays, I brought them in and said, ‘Let’s adjust to what they’re doing.’”
The second game was back and forth until Grevengoed put down a back-row kill to give the Knights a 12-11 lead. They never trailed again from there, forcing a decisive third game.
“I think putting them out of system was a big thing for us,” she said. “I thought we passed well in the second set. We were able to be super offensive. I feel like that bled into the third set.
Chicago Christian’s Sydney Harris (10) hits the ball against Port Byron Riverdale during the Class 2A Mendota Supersectional on Monday, Nov. 10, 2025. (Gary Middendorf / Daily Southtown)
“We had a really good comeback.”
Troy Grevengoed was confident the Knights would get out of its slump from the start.
“As the momentum goes we realize, ‘We got this, we’re in this,;” he said. “I thought Riverdale played well. They were a different team than we saw on film. They’re a good defensive team.
“They scouted well. They knew what we were doing and executed their plan.”
Chicago Christian’s L’Rae White (12) powers an attack against Port Byron Riverdale during the Class 2A Mendota Supersectional on Monday, Nov. 10, 2025. (Gary Middendorf / Daily Southtown)
One of Riverdale’s plans was to try to limit Grevengoed. It worked early on, but she eventually struck back.
“It was just trying to shut her down,” Riverdale coach Amy Mitton said of Grevengoed. “She’s the key to their offense. She’s a great player.
“Really, the focus was on shutting her down and making sure they were out of system so they couldn’t get it to her every time.”
Troy Grevengoed definitely noticed Riverdale was trying to take his daughter out of the match.
“Quinn has the ability to take over games early,” he said. “They read her well. They were either taking away the hard line or hard cross. They were sitting on those things and made her do it through the block.”
The Knights, who have won five straight sectional titles, finished fourth in Class 2A in 2021. All of their seasons since the have ended in the supersectional.
Chicago Christian’s Quinn Grevengoed (3) stretches for the kill against Port Byron Riverdale during the Class 2A Mendota Supersectional on Monday, Nov. 10, 2025. (Gary Middendorf / Daily Southtown)
But for Quinn Grevengoed and Co., she has another shot to get them over the hump.
“I think it’s great,” she said. “We’ve been here four years in a row. Every year, we make it here —and it just wasn’t the year. Next year.”
White, a senior who only played at Chicago Christian this fall, is the main contributor graduating. The Knights played three sophomores who will return to complement Quinn Grevengoed.
“I’m excited about what’s next,” Troy Grevengoed said. “They’ve been resilient all season. I’m proud of who we are and our school and our program.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.