St. Thomas Finishes Fourth at Class 7-1A State VB Tourney

LINCOLN -- Newton St. Thomas captured fourth place in the Class 7-1A Girls State Volleyball Tournament after weekend action.

St. Thomas won its opener over DeLand-Weldon. St. Thomas claimed the opening set 25-15. DeLand-Weldon came back with a 28-26 victory. St. Thomas captured the match with a 25-16 final set.

St. Thomas then fell to Peoria Limestone Walters, 25-16, 25-21.

That put St. Thomas into the third place match against Hartsburg-Emden.

Hartsburg-Emden claimed third place with 25-11, 25-6 sets.

St. Thomas finished with a 16-8 record.

In other opening round matches, Lincoln West Lincoln-Broadwell downed Belleville St. Teresa, 25-8, 25-7; Hartsburg-Emden won over LaSalle Trinity Catholic, 25-6, 25-8 and Peoria Limestone Walters won over Cissna Park, 25-23, 25-17.

In the other semifinal contest, Lincoln West Lincoln-Broadcwell won over Hartsburg-Emden, 25-7, 25-23, 25-15.

The state championship went to Lincoln West LIncoln-Broadwell over Peoria Limestone Walters, 25-12, 25-9.

Class 7-1A State Tournament

Thrid Place Match

Newton St. Thomas vs. DeLand-Weldon -- Bennett, 5 aces, 11 points; Kuhl, 3 aces, 6 points; Higgs, 3 aces, 3 points; Zumbahlen, 2 aces, 7 points; Miller, 7 aces, 10 points; Zumbahlen, 5 aces, 10 points

Newton St. Thomas vs. Peoria Limestone Walters -- Bennett, 1 ace, 6 points; Kuhl, 1 ace, 3 points; Zumbahlen, 1 ace, 4 points; Miller, 4 points

Newton St. Thomas vs. Hartsburg-Emden -- Zumbahlen, 1 ace, 1 point; Miller, 1 ace, 1 point

Class 7-2A State Tournament

Effingham St. Anthony competed in the Class 7-2A State Tournament and fell in opening round play.

Raymond-Lincolnwood downed the Bullpups, 25-9, 25-14.

St. Anthony ends the season with a 17-8 record.

In other first round matches, Lewistown downed Villa Grove, 25-10, 15-25, 25-13 while Mendon Unity won over MIlford, 25-20, 25-10. Kewanee Wethersfield then downed Mount Pulaski, 25-22, 25-21.

In the semifinals, Lewistown downed Raymond Lincolnwood, 25-20, 25-17 while Mendon Unity won over Kewanee-Wethersfield, 25-20, 16-25, 25-22.

The third place match went to Kewanee Wethersfield over Raymond Lincolnwood, 25-20, 25-23. The championship was won by Mendon Unity over Lewistown, 25-21, 25-14.

Class 7-2A State Tournament

St. Anthony -- Rudolphi, 2 aces, 4 points; Thoele, 1 point; Kibler, 2 aces, 4 points; Niemeyer, 1 point