Volleyball
It was regional championship night around the state last night in the IHSA volleyball state series as teams tried to earn sectional berths. The 2nd seeded United Red Storm were in Williamsfield for their title tilt against 3rd seeded Elmwood. The Red Storm’s season ended with a 25-20, 25-21 loss to the Trojans. United ends the year with a record of (31-6). It’s the most wins since the 2016 team won 34 matches. It’s also the 3rd time in the past five seasons that the program has won at least 30 matches. Elmwood improves to (26-4) overeall and will move on to the Kewanee Wethersfield sectional starting on Monday night. The Trojans will take on (30-4) Ottawa Marquette at 6:30 in Kewanee. Marquette knocked off Serena last night in the Roanoke-Benson regional final.
Elsewhere in class 1A, it will be Lincoln Trail Conference regular season champ Princeville against Illini Bluffs in the first sectional semi-final at 5:30 at Wethersfield High School. Princeville is now (28-5) after beating Peru (St. Bede) in the Annawan regional title game and Illini Bluffs, who brings an amazing record of (36-1) into the sectional tournament, beat West Prairie in the Bushnell-Prairie City regional finals last night. Princeville was led in their win over St. Bede by Elle Schupbach’s 13 kills, Juliane Kielion’s 20 assists and Lindsey Meisenheimer’s 13 digs. West Prairie’s season ends with a record of (22-13).
In the Augusta Southeastern regional final, it was Mendon Unity beating Camp Point Central for the 3rd time this season, 25-14, 25-23.
The Macomb Bombers will move on to the Class 2A Pleasant Plains sectional tournament next week after the Bombers beat Illini West 27-25, 25-20 in the Rushville-Industry regional championship match. The Bombers, now (30-7), were led by Avery Rexroat’s 25 assists and three aces. Kennedy Adair had 12 kills and Maggie Vallillo hustled her way to 12 digs. Macomb will play Downs (Tri-Valley) at 6:30 on Monday night at Pleasant Plains High School.
