Pirates, Bulldogs rising to the occasion
The Valmeyer volleyball team is peaking at the right time as the postseason nears.
Following a win against Chester during the week, the Pirates won three of four matches in the Carlinville Tournament on Saturday to take second place.
Valmeyer topped Springfield Lanphier, Carlinville and Greenfield Northwestern to advance to the championship game, eventually losing to Springfield Lutheran.
“Our team as a whole rose to the occasion,” Valmeyer head coach Jenny Kohnz said. “We changed our lineup completely with some players having to play every position from setter to middle hitter. They were a little unsure about positions, but after one game they had it down.Ā Through it all, they were still focused and hustling.”
April Thomason had 26 kills on the day, earning all-tourney honors. Freshman Guin Kohnz scored 14 points with one ace and also led in assists for the weekend with 37. Jordyn Killy scored 24 points and also racked up 21 kills.
Blair Brady also performed well, the coach said.
“The team is improving with each match we play,” Kohnz said. “Our goal is to peak in the playoffs, and I think we are on the right road.”
Valmeyer topped Marissa in two sets on Monday and currently sits at 17-8 on the seasonĀ entering Tuesday’s match against Marquette.
In other local volleyball action, Waterloo improved to 10-7 overall and 5-1 in the Mississippi Valley Conference with recent wins over Triad and Jerseyville.
Waterloo’s Kathryn Finnerty goes up for the block last week against Jerseyville. For more photos, visit www.republictimes.net/photo-store. (Alan Dooley photo)Sam Kruse and Hannah Cope lead the ‘Dogs in service points; Kathryn Finnerty leads in kills and blocks.
Waterloo played Civic Memorial on Tuesday and will host cross-town rival Gibault in a special pink-themed “Volley for the Cure” match on Thursday.
Gibault is now 13-7 after dropping three of five matches in the tough Belleville East Tournament over the weekend.
The Hawks defeated Althoff and Breese Central in the tourney but lost to Nerinx Hall, Belleville East and Ursuline.
Kelly Dooley leads the team in service points; Lauren Goldschmidt leads in kills; Lauren Schmidt leads the team in blocks.
The Hawks hosted Mater Dei on Tuesday.
Columbia put up a good fight in the Belleville East tourney, winning three of five matches. The Eagles lost to Highland and Cor Jesu on Friday night, both in three sets. On Saturday, Columbia bounced back with two-set victories against Champaign Centennial, Althoff and Nerinx Hall to win the bronze division.
Kelly Metter leads the Eagles in service points; Colene Hamilton leads the team in kills; Jordan Hausmann leads the team in blocks.
Columbia hosted Red Bud for its “Volley for the Cure” breast cancer awareness game on Tuesday night.
