Volleyball teams enter regional play
The volleyball postseason began this week, with local teams trying for regional titles.
In Class 3A, top-seeded Columbia (30-4) cruised past Salem in the Centralia Regional on Tuesday for a spot in Thursday’s final.
The Eagles entered the regional having won 12 in a row.
“Right now the offense and the defense are working very well together in that our passes are allowing our setters to run a quicker offense and we are effectively hitting the ball for the kill,” Columbia coach Kelly Landgraf said. “We are looking forward to the playoffs.”
The team is led by Colene Hamilton (260 kills), Kelly Metter (203 points, 484 digs), Jordan Hausmann (94 blocks), Elizabeth Fleming (28 aces, 419 assists) and Alyssa Yochum (188 kills).
Also in Class 3A, Waterloo (16-11) played HighlandĀ in the Mascoutah Regional on Tuesday.
Waterloo finished 7-3 in the Mississippi Valley Conference, good for second place.
“We have seen much improvement this season and at the same time dealt with illness and injuries, especially the last two weeks of our season,” Waterloo coach Angie Crawford said.
Two key players, Sam Kruse and Hannah Innis, missed the last week of the regular season. Other members of the team are Kathryn Finnerty (166 kills, 77 blocks), Hannah Cope (28 aces, 466 assists) and Megan Gilliam (439 digs).
“We are at a super competitive point in our play as we go into regionals. It’s up to our girls!” Crawford said.
In Class 2A, top-seeded Gibault (23-11) defeated Red Bud in the Red Bud Regional on Tuesday. The Hawks went 3-2 on Saturday in the Mt. Pulaski tourney to end the regular season.
“Regionals will be tough. Every team in our regional is able to knock out anyone else. Whoever brings their best game will win,” Gibault coach Heather Ebert said.
The Hawks are led by Kelly Dooley (198 points, 249 kills, 260 digs), Lauren Goldschmidt (326 kills, 313 digs), Ashley Grohmann (37 aces, 747 assists, 54 blocks) and Lauren Schmidt (76 blocks).
“It should be an exciting week,” Ebert said.
Also in Class 2A, Dupo lost to Carlyle in the Althoff Regional on Monday, ending its season. Dupo was led by Skylure Barlow, Taylor Esmon, Courtney Stanek and Caitlyn Brizzi.
In Class 1A, Valmeyer (21-10) played Steeleville in the Marissa Regional on Tuesday for a spot in Thursday’s final.
The Pirates topped Steeleville in three close sets last week and also defeated them earlier in the season.
“They will be tough to beat a third time,” Valmeyer coach Jenny Kohnz said. “We are just going to take it one game at a time.”
Leading the way for Valmeyer are Sam Seidel (149 points, 44 aces), Jordyn Killy (145 points, 181 kills), April Thomason (193 kills, 84 blocks), Blair Brady (273 assists) and Cierra Goldschmidt (237 digs).
