After a long spring and a tough start to the fall, Lincoln-Way West found joy Saturday at the Oak Lawn Spartan Classic.

The happiest of them all was Bella Been.

The senior outside hitter was the star of the show for the Warriors during a 25-19, 25-20 victory over De La Salle in the championship match.

Her nine kills were tops on the stat sheet. Her enthusiasm both before and after the match was off the charts.

“That was so much fun, so exciting,” Been said. “I’m so proud of everyone. We’ve been fighting and working so hard. We finally got enough energy and were ready to play.”

Been had a weekend to remember with 32 kills, 41 digs, six blocks and four aces as the Warriors (9-6) swept five matches.

It was the best tournament performance of her varsity career. And this, like all the others, was dedicated to her father, Jason.

Jason Been died in August 2019 after a long illness. Bella, a Manhattan native, had just transferred from Mother McAuley to Lincoln-Way West to be closer to her family.

It was an emotionally tough time. But Been is an emotionally tough kid.

“At the start of the season it was really hard, but I knew I had to go on,” Been said. “I thought, ‘There is nothing I can really change. I need to go out and play for him.’ ”

She did it well.

As a sophomore, Been led the Warriors with 20 aces and had the highest serve-receive average on the team.

“Bella was amazing,” Lincoln-Way West coach Kendall Villa said. “She was so strong. She was a leader from the time she came in as a sophomore, even among the seniors on that team.

“She was the most consistent player we had. She would not be shaken by anything. She was just staid.”

The coronavirus pandemic resulted in a shortened spring season, and the Warriors struggled with just one victory in eight matches.

“That was tough,” Been said. “Our record was not very good, but I was still excited to play and be with my school team. I’m glad that we had it. I mean, that was the best of a worst situation.”

Been was among the Southland’s top hitters with 57 kills to go along with nine aces and 52 digs.

“I think she played great,” Villa said. “Bella is very smart. She knows exactly when to use the blocker’s hands, when to roll a shot, when to swing.

“She’s aggressive that way. And she is full of energy. I believe they play better when they’re joyful, when they’re happy, when they’re excited. When Bella is positive, she’s just great out there.”

Winner’s ware: Add another honor to Christine Scheibe’s illustrious career.

The former head coach at Joliet Catholic was inducted Friday into the school’s Hall of Champions during an afternoon ceremony. She was introduced to the community before the varsity football game.

The award? She was excited, to be sure, joining a list of notable Joliet Catholic honorees that include Chicago Sky star Allie Quigley.

“It’s definitely a huge honor,” Scheibe said. “I went to a WNBA game on Sunday and was in the presence of a WNBA all-star. Now I’m in the same Hall of Champions she is. To be included with people who are very well known is quite an honor.”

Being at the football game?

“I’ve been working the home football games this year,” Scheibe said. “The first night I was there, I had so many people come up to me and say, ‘I don’t think I’ve ever seen you at a football game before.’ We just had so many tournaments on Friday night or I was exhausted.

“But I grew up in Morris and I actually like football, so I’m enjoying going to the games now.”

In 21 seasons at Joliet Catholic, Scheibe had a 602-198-10 record. Her teams won three state championships and finished second four times.

They won 11 sectional titles, including six in a row from 2005 to 2010. They won 17 regional titles, including 15 straight from 2001 to 2015.

Not counting the 2020-21 spring season, when there were no state playoffs, the Angels earned 10 state trophies in 20 seasons.

Did you know? Sandburg has the current longest streak of winning seasons among Southland public schools with 17, dating to 2004. David Vales has been the Eagles’ coach since 2007.