Galena Downs St. Anthony, Bulldogs To Play For Third At State

Galena claimed the opening set 25-18 and then took the second set for the match with the exact same 25-18 count.

The Bulldogs swept out to a 3-0 lead in the first set as Galena had an error before Abbi Hatton laid down two kills, one on an assist from Addi Nuxoll and the other on an assist by Addi Wernsing.

But Galena fought back to tie the score at 3-3. The Pirates went on a tear as Gracie Furlong knocked down three straight kills before an attack error by the Bulldogs. Furlong put down her fourth kill and the Pirates held a 7-3 lead.

The Bulldogs kept coming back and pulled within 8-7 and 9-8 and evenually tied at 10-10 on an attack error by Galena. The score was knotted again at 11-11 and 12-12. But Galena went on another run, taking the score up to 15-12 on an ace by Abigale Merritt and a ballhandling error and another ace by Merritt.

The Bulldogs called a time out and halted the flow to pull within 15-14 and 16-15 but could never get over the hump.

Galena went on a four-point run to push the score to 20-15. Once again St. Anthony fought back to within four points at 20-16. The Pirates remained in control, however, answering back and went to match point at 24-18 and took the match on an attack error to win 25-18.

In the second set, Galena opened with a three-point run. But the Bulldogs held strong and tied the score at 3-3, again at 4-4, 5-5 and 6-6. Back-to-back kills by Furlong put the Pirates up 8-6. The Bulldogs bounced back and were within 9-8 on a kill by Cara Hatton and an assist by Stacie Vonderheide.

The Bulldogs were within a point four more times but Galena took the momentum and ran the score up to 21-14.

St. Anthony fought valiantly, scoring four more points but Galena maintained control and went out on a kill by Addie Hefel for the 25-18 match victory.

Furlong proved to be a thorn in the Bulldogs' side with 12 kills. Hefel added nine kills. Merritt finished with 22 assists. Furlong also led in digs with 10.

St. Anthony was led by Hatton with seven kills and 10 digs. She scored seven points. Anna Niemeyer added six kills. Maddie Kibler had 10 digs. Addi Wernsing finished with 13 assists.

Galena improved to 35-5 on the season and will meet Hartsburg-Emden for the State championship at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. Hartsburg-Emden defeated Cissna Park, 27-17, 25-13 to advance.

St. Anthony will take on Cissna Park at 9 a.m. for third place. The Bulldogs dropped to 32-9 on the season and Cissna Park has a 37-4 record.

After the match Saturday, the Bulldogs will travel back to Effingham where they will head into a parade route and celebration beginning at 3 p.m. from the Effingham Event Center. From the Center, the route will turn left at Walgreens, then right on Jefferson through town. Then turn left on Third Street, continue to Orchard Inn and then turn left to St. Anthony High School.

The get-together will be for photographs and snacks in the Enlow Center following the parade, lasting until 4 p.m.

Class 1A State Tournament

St. Anthony -- A. Hatton, 7 kills, 10 digs, 7 points; Niemeyer, 6 kills, 3 digs, 6 points; C. Hatton, 5 kills, 5 points; Rudolphi, 3 kills, 1 assist, 3 points; Coffin, 1 kill, 1 assist, 1 dig, 1 point; Nuxoll, 1 kill, 1 assist, 5 digs, 1 point; Kibler, 1 kill, 10 digs, 2 points; Wernsing, 5 digs; Vonderheide, 3 digs

Galena -- Furlong, 12 kills, 10 digs, 1 block assist, 12.5 points; Hefel, 9 kills, 1 assist, 6 digs, 9 points; McCoy, 2 kills, 4 digs, 2.5 points; Hauber, 1 kill, 1 dig, 1 block assist, 1.5 points; Merritt, 22 assists, 6 digs, 2 points; Bauer, 2 digs, 1 block assist, 0.5 points; Holland, 3 digs; Heller, 7 digs