Lincoln Land Headed to Nationals in Volleyball

The second-seeded Lincoln Land volleyball squad (ranked fourth in the nation) advances to the NJCAA National Tournament after a hard-fought victory over the third-seeded Cougars of Illinois Central who hosted the Region XXIV Final Four this year.

It took five sets going back and forth 25-22, 19-25, 25-16, 23-25, 20-18.  The key moment before game five came in the third set with the Loggers trailing 13-9 and in danger of going down 2-1 in the match; instead, Sarah Mueller went back to serve and rattled off 13 straight points with two aces, two Talesha Scott kills, a block in the middle and opponent errors.  Instead of trailing 2-1, the Loggers led and that proved critical when the Cougars led from start to finish in game four.

Game five looked like volleyball's version of the Indians-Cubs as Illinois Central took an 8-4 lead when the two teams switched sides, though the Loggers were able to close to 8-7 before tying it at nine.  The Loggers took the lead for the first time at 13-12, but neither time could put two points together until ICC did, turning a 17-16 deficit into a 18-17 lead and serving for the match.  Instead, the Loggers were able to score key kills from Kaylee Beekman and Kiersten Anderson as the Loggers won the final three points to win 20-18.
 
"Not much to say," Coach Dietz commented.  "We played hard and it's tough to beat a team three times in a year, twice on their home court in front of a hostile crowd.  I was asked if I was worried at the end and I said no.  At 4-8?  Yup.  But once we tied it, I was confident.  We were hitting well and playing to win rather than playing to 'not lose' like we'd done in game four.  So now we get to go to the Big Dance again.  I think the girls are excited."
 
It is the first time LLCC is heading to the National Tournament in consecutive seasons.  In addition, Scott tied her school record for kills in a match with 24, Kiersten Anderson had a triple-double with 11 digs, 25 assists, and 19 kills, while Brea Cunningham set a personal best with seven blocks.

Area girls competing on the LLCC squad are Micaela Chrappa (Effingham) and Kendall Knop (Stewardson-Strasburg/Windsor).