Lake County Gazette

"Games like this come by just once in a lifetime," says Amundsen High School Junior Russell Anglada. 

Tonight he gets to play varsity volleyball with his big brother and "against" his step-brother. 

Connor Dell is a volleyball standout at Buffalo Grove High School. According to Max Preps, the senior outside hitter has already racked up 124 kills this season. Dell has a volleyball scholarship to Concordia University Irvine in California. 

It is a Division I school and is in one of the most competitive conferences in the United States.

"It is rare, if ever, that a team in District 214 has a non-conference game with a Chicago Public School. I'm grateful for that but I'm even more excited to play against my brothers Andrew and Russell," says Dell.

The three met when they were just 5 and 6 years old, and there's been a strong bond ever since. Every family vacation, the trio spends hours playing beach volleyball. 

What makes this even more of a family affair? Andrew and Russell's mom is the head coach at Amundsen High School, and she got Connor interested in the sport.

"My step-mom knew how high I jumped and she knew about my athleticism. When basketball didn't work out she immediately told me that Volleyball was now my sport. She rented a gym in Elk Grove for me and my brothers and other kids she coached and taught me how to play," says Dell.

Buffalo Grove is ranked 11th in the state of Illinois. They are first in their conference. Amundsen is ranked 49th. 

"Look, we know it's going to be an uphill battle but we are just glad to have this opportunity to play against each other in an organized game. I'm planning on having fun'' says Senior, Andrew Anglada. He is the middle hitter and co-captain of the team.

It's also Senior Night for the Buffalo Grove Bisons.

"During COVID a number of opportunities were taken away from us and life experiences so I'm glad we have this. I get to play the sport I love against the brothers I love and my family gets to be all in the same gym to watch it, says Dell. 

"My mom, Christine, and Father Chris have spent hours, years, taking me to practices and traveling with me for school and club games. I'm so blessed to have them as my parents. Life is good."