Stewardson Trinity Claims LSA State Volleyball Tourney

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Published on November 4 2019 10:09 am
Last Updated on November 4 2019 10:17 am
Written by Millie Lange

Member of the Stewardson Trinity volleyball team that claimed the LSA State title are, first row, left to right, Rachal Weaver, Zaida Wascher, Mya Friese, Brinlie Durbin, Kinley Quast, Mollie Slifer, Carrah Daniels and Kenzie Thompson. Back row, left to right, Tammy Manhart, Colby McCormick, Ella Kinkelaar, Marisa Daniels, Madison Beitz,Gabby Vonderheide, Halle Moomaw, Isabelle Gratz, Alaira Friese, Brenna Musson, Addie Wernsing, Katie Durbin and Bridgitte Friese.

STEWARDSON -- The Stewardson Trinity volleyball team won the Lutheran Sports Association State Tournament during the weekend.

The top 24 Lutheran junior high teams in the state competed in a three day tournament. Trinity won six matches never dropping a set to be named state champs. They won  their pool defeating Elgin, Zion Staunton, and Park Ridge, allowing their opponents only 31 points in the three matches combined.

Saturday afternoon they began bracket play defeating Mount Prospect and then Yorkville. Sunday, they faced Christ Peoria for the third time this season in the championship match at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield defeating them in two sets. Christ has been the state champs the past five years. Trinity has only won the tournament one other time in 2013.S

"I am so happy for this group of girls because they have been working toward this moment for three years," said Coach Tammy Manhart. "This same group has competed in this tournament as fifth and sixth graders placing sixth, last year they placed fourth and now winning it all.

"Watching their skills and mental toughness develop over these past three years has been such a joy.  I am very proud of this group and the best part of it all is that I get to coach them again in the spring when we play the public schools and make a run for the SIJHSAA State Championship."

Stewardson Trinity is 17-0 for the season.

Ella Kinkelaar, Halle Moomaw and Gabby Vonderheide were named to the all tournament team and Vonderheide was named MVP.