Lincoln-Way Central’s Ben Pryor had a bright idea last year. Literally.
He was going to dye his hair blond, but it didn’t happen.
“I got caught up in too many things,” Pryor said. “But I said, ‘I gotta do it this season.’ I got it done pretty early in the season and I’m playing better with it.
“It’s my lucky charm now.”
The junior outside hitter didn’t need much luck Tuesday night. His powerful attacks were on target with six kills, including four in the first game, to help lead the Knights to a 26-24, 26-24 SouthWest Suburban Conference win over host Stagg in Palos Hills.
Logan Baechtold tallied five kills and a solo block for Lincoln-Way Central (22-12, 5-2), while Aiden Schindler added four kills, two aces and a block assist.
The Knights welcomed back junior right-side hitter Joey Vellenga, who has been injured all season but had two kills in the second game. Lincoln-Way Central coach Mary Brown said Vellenga was a top hitter for her team last year and hopes he can bolster an already-strong lineup.
Michael Kos came though with eight kills for Stagg (19-14, 3-5), which has gone 1-7 since enjoying an eight-match winning streak.
Pryor, meanwhile, is enjoying his new look with the blond hair.
“I wanted some change in my life,” he said. “I changed by hair a little bit and changed my personality. I think it’s done me some good.
“I’ve been more locked into the game ever since I changed it. I carry myself better.”
Schindler noticed a difference in the Knights’ new blond bomber.
“It’s a very creative look,” Schindler said of Pryor. “He has a lot more energy with that hair.”
Brown, who brought up Pryor to the varsity when he was a freshman, is unfazed by his follicles.
“He’s a fun kid no matter what his hair color is,” Brown said of Pryor. “He’s a leader on the court.
“He’s always smiling.”
Pryor, however, wasn’t happy to hear that Brown, who coached boys and girls volleyball in the district for 19 years, will retire after the spring season.
“She has really meant a lot to me,” Pryor said of Brown. “She’s helped me pave my path as I’ve gone along. It’s nice to be able to play for her during the end of her career and her final goodbye.”
Amy Bernhard will take over for girls program in the fall. She was an assistant with Brown for six seasons. Matthew Small, a boys assistant at Homewood-Flossmoor, will take over next spring.
“It’s been a fun 19 years at Lincoln-Way,” said Brown, who also coached at East and North. “But I have eight grandbabies. It’s time to stay home and let the young ones start coaching and running the programs.”
Brown confirmed she will miss the students.
“It’s time, but I love the kids,” she said. “I love the kids in my class. I love the kids on the team. The kids are great at Central. They are very kind, and you don’t see many kids picking on each other.
“They are a nice group of kids.”
Lincoln-Way Central would love to finish the spring with a strong run to cap Brown’s final season.
“This is one of the best teams we’ve had,” Schindler said. “I think we can go past the regionals. We have a lot of talent and we can go a long way.”
The Knights, who haven’t won a regional title since 2019, are seeking that postseason hardware.
“For sure, we want to win the regional this year,” Pryor said. “Winning regionals is our No. 1 priority.”
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
