Three Area Junior High Volleyball Teams Fall At State Tourneys

In the Class 8-1A State competition at Kankakee Bishop McNamara, Washington St. Patrick downed Stewardson-Strasburg, 25-22, 25-17.

Karly Wetherell led Stew-Stras in points with five while Jackie Vonderheide and Edie Wittenberg had four each. Wittenbreg had one ace.

Stew-Stras ended the season with a 23-3 record.

"This was a tough loss for us," said Stew-Stras Coach Courtney Wittenberg. "It is one of those if you felt like you played your best and they just were a better team, hats off to them. St. Pat's was a great team, but we didn't show them what we were capable of. We struggled to execute strategies and placement that we had worked on all week. But in the end, we have to learn from these games, and can't let them define the success we have shown this entire season.

"These girls have grown through adversity and developed tremendously in the game of volleyball. I am so extremely proud of each and every one of them, the role they played, and the camaraderie this team brought together. This was one of the best groups of girls and families I've had the pleasure of coaching. Lots of tears were shed Friday night, not because of the loss itself (although that was hard in inself to choke down), but because this chapter has been such an incredible ride, it's sad to see it come to an end. These girls have left their mark on Stew-Stras volleyball, and I am grateful to be a part of it. 

In other matches, LaSalle Trinity Catholic won over Lockport Taft, 25-11, 25-16, Kinderhook Western downed Royal Prairieview Ogden 25-13, 25-20 and Pontiac St. Mary's won over Peoria Limestone Walters 25-16, 25-11.

In the second round, Kinderhook Western beat LaSalle Trinity Catholic 25-18, 25-19 and Pontiac St. Mary's defeatedWashington St. Patrick, 25-18, 25-18.

The championship went to Pontiac St. Mary's over Kinderhook Western, 25-22, 26-28, 25-14. LaSalle Trinity Catholic won the third place match over Washington St. Patrick, 25-19, 23-25, 25-20.

Class 8-1A State Tournament.

In Class 8-A

Stewardson-Strasburg -- Wittenberg, 2 aces, 9 digs, 5 kills, 1 block; Vonderheide, 2 kills; Wetherell, 1 dig, 2 assists, 5 kills; Howe, 2 digs; Harris, 6 digs, 2 blocks; Conder, 1 dig, 4 kills, 1 block

Class 8-2A StateTournament

Effingham St. Anthony competed in the Class 2A State Tournament at Mount Pulaski.

The Bullpups went three sets but fell to Bourbonnais St. George. St. Anthony won the opener 25-14 but Bourbonanis came back with 25-17, 26-24 tallies for the match.

Reese Hoene had 12 points for the Bullpups with one ace while Rylee Fearday and Maggie Brant had seven points each. Brant led in aces with two.

St. Anthony ended the season with a 16-12 record.

In other matches, Mount Pulaski won over Bunker Hill Wolf Ridge 25-11, 25-9, Peoria Christian downed Mossville 25-19, 23-25, 25-14 and Bloomington Corpus Christian defeated Mendon Unity 25-22, 19-25, 25-9.

In the semifinals, Mount Pulaski beat Peoria Christian, 25-15, 25-19 and Bloomington Corpus Christi defeated Bourbonnais St. George 25-9, 25-15.

In the finals, Mount Pulaski defeated Bloomington Corpus Christi for the championship. Corpus Christi won the opener 25-21 but Mount Pulaski came back with 27-25, 25-23 scores for the victory.

Third place went to Peoria Christian over Bourbonnais St. George, 28-26, 15-25, 25-16.

Class 8-2A State Tournament

St. Anthony -- Gilmore, 3 points; Fearday, 7 points; Brant, 7 points, 2 aces; Jansen, 2 points; Semple, 3 points; Hoene, 12 points, 1 ace

Class 8-3A State Tournament

Teutopolis fell to Eureka in the opening match, 25-19, 25-15 of the Class 8-3A State Tournament at Eureka Friday.

Ella Willenborg led the Wooden Shoes with five points and two aces while Addison Meyer had three points and Emma Isley two points and an ace.

"We finished in the Elite Eight with a record of 22-5," said T-town Coach Tim Mills. "What a great season. I'm really proud of all they accomplished."

In other matches, Manteno beat Beecher 25-12, 25-19, Staunton defeated Peru Parkside 25-15, 25-11 and Williamsville downed Glasford Illini Bluffs 25-22, 19-25, 25-12.

In the semifinals, Manteno won over Staunton 25-27, 25-14, 25-15 and Eureka downed Wiliamsville 25-20, 16-25, 25-23.

The championship went to Eureka over Manteno, 25-13, 26-24. Third place was taken by Williamsville over Staunton, 25-16, 25-12.

Class 8-3A State Tournament

Teutopolis -- Meyer, 3 points; Donsbach, 1 point; Isley, 2 points, 1 ace; Bloemer, 2 points; Willenborg, 5 points, 2 aces; Niemerg, 1 point