Stewardson Trinity Wins Class S State Tourney

Trinity Lutheran won the championship of the Class S State Tournament.

HERRIN -- Stewardson Trinity claimed the championship of the Southern Illinois Junior High School Athletic Association Class S State Volleyball Tournament Saturday.

The day started with 16 teams and Trinity ended up playing four matches.

"We had to win our first two matches to get to the final four," said Trinity Coach Tammy Manhart. "It was a long, exhausting day but well worth it in the end."

Trinity Lutheran defeated St. John Lutheran in three sets. St. John Lutheran won the opener 25-21 before Trinity clawed back and picked up the next two sets, 25-17, 15-13 for the match.

In other first round matches, St. John Catholic defeated Desoto, 25-17, 25-12; Holy Childhood won over Thompsonville, 25-16, 25-20; TRJ-Nashville defeated New Horizon, 27-25, 25-21; St. Rose Elementary downed Century Junior, 25-19, 25-14; Jonesboro won over Woodlawn, 25-14, 25-14; Albers-Dmain defeated Cisne, 25-21, 25-19 and Pinckneyville downed Summersville, 25-12, 25-10.

"Our first match of the day was one of the toughest of the day, said Manhart. "Luckily we had a two-match break after that, Our next match was not as intense."

Trinity claimed the next contest over Jonesboro, 25-13, 25-12. In other matches, Holy Childhood downed St. John Catholic, 25-16, 25-18; St. Rose Elementary won over TSJ-Nashville, 25-21, 25-18 and Pinckneyville defeated Albers-Damian, 11-25, 25-17, 15-3.

"That win put us in the Final Four," said Manhart. "Our semifinal match turned out to be our toughest match of the day."

Trinity Lutheran lost its opener against Pinckneyville, 25-23 but came back with a 25-22 count and won the contest, 16-14. St. Rose Elementary defeated Holy Childhood, 25-17, 29-27.

"With a 20 minute break, we then had to face St. Rose in the championship," said Coach Manhart. "I don't know how but the girls found the energy and fire to become state champs."

Trinity won the title contest, 25-11, 25-19 over St. Rose. Third place went to Pinckneyville over Holy Childhood, 25-22, 25-19.

"It was a total team effort," said Manhart. "Everyone stepped up at different times and it always seemed to be just the right time. I knew all season that this team had great potential and it started to surface in the last few weeks of the season.

"I am so proud of the courage these girls showed on Saturday, never giving up on themselves or their teammates. They have made their mark in Trinity volleyball history. All but two will be back next year. Brinlie and Maddie are our two eighth-graders. We wish them the best in their high school careers."