Panther volleyball finishes 3rd at Manteno Tournament
By Fred Kroner
The St. Joseph eighth-grade volleyball team has won six of its last seven matches, including a third-place finish in the eight-team Manteno Tournament.
The Panthers edged St. Matthew in Champaign on Wednesday (Feb. 8), 30-28, 25-23 and then won at home over Oakwood on Friday (Feb. 10), 25-14, 25-12.
Against St. Matthew, St. Joseph coach Abby McDonald said, “This was a great defensive battle for both teams. Our middle-hitters, Brynn Ikemire and Maggie Hewkin, sparked our offense.”
Against Oakwood, strong serves made the difference.
“Hadley McDonald and Addi Stevens combined for 22 of our service points,” McDonald said.
On Saturday (Feb. 11), St. Joseph captured wins in three of four matches at Manteno.
The Panthers topped Manhattan, 25-14, 25-19, lost to Manteno, 25-19, 25-12, beat Channahon, 25-21, 25-22, and then prevailed in the third-place match over Home Glen, 25-15, 25-23.
“We entered the Manteno Tournament as the only 3A school,” McDonald said. “We knew it would be tough, but the intent was to use each match to learn and better prepare for the remainder of the season.
“They found a way to go 3-1.”
The St. Joseph Eighth-Grade Night was Monday (Feb. 13) and resulted in a 25-6, 25-6 over Judah Christian.
“All (eighth-graders) contributed on the court to ensure our success,” McDonald said.
The eighth-grade squad members are Lily Ahart, Lizzie Clark, Abby Crider, Hayden Dahl, Iris Davis, Madison Farber, Maggie Hewkin, Morgan Huls, Brynn Ikemire, Alivia Learned, Hadley McDonald, Kiah Riesel, Sophie Schmitz and Addi Stevens.
The eighth-graders are 14-4 and return to action on Thursday (Feb. 16) at Monticello.
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The St. Joseph seventh-grade team bounced back from a loss to Cissna Park with back-to-back two-set sweeps.
The Panthers won at Champaign St. Matthew, 25-9, 25-23 on Wednesday (Feb. 8) and then toppled Oakwood at home on Friday (Feb. 10), 25-5, 25-9.
“We played well-balanced and worked together as a team down the stretch in a tight second set (against St.Matthew),” seventh-grade coach Jill Lubinski said.
Ashlee Jannusch totaled 12 service points, including seven aces, against Oakwood.
“I was happy with the strong and consistent play from all team members,” Lubinski said. “So many of our athletes have worked hard at practice to improve their skills and that was evident.”
The seventh-graders are 11-2.
