CHS girls volleyball: team opens conference play with sweep of Sparta

The Chester High School Lady Jacket Volleyball Team split the last two games of Week 4 with a loss to the Gibault Lady Hawks and a sweep of the Sparta Lady Bulldogs in the season conference opener of the Cahokia Conference Illinois Division and the home opener at Colbert Gym at CHS.

<b>CHS at Gibault</b>

The Jackets traveled to Waterloo Gibault Sept. 14 to challenge the Lady Hawks. Chester had beat the Lady Hawks in three sets at the Labor Day Tournament at Marissa and knew that the Hawks could be a challenge at home.

"We knew we were going to have to play scrappy defense and stay on our toes to win at Gibault," said Coach Colleen Runge. "Although we had many shining moments, the game just didn't go our way!"

Chester lost the first game 18-25 and the second, 13-25.

<b>CHS sweeps Sparta</b>

In their inaugural conference match on Sept. 16, Chester swept the Lady Bulldogs of Sparta in two sets, 27-25 and 25-13.

"It was an exciting game and fun to watch," said Assistant Coach Alyssa Keith. "Sparta is really a solid team and brought a lot of energy to our gym in our season home opener.

Mabry Wingerter had 2 aces. There 34 digs in the match as the Jackets played outstanding defense. Paige Vasquez recorded 10 of those digs. Kailyn Absher recorded 7 kills and 1-of-2 solo blocks. Alyssa Seymour had the other solo block. Finally, Paige Vasquez led the team in assists with seven for the match.

"Our confidence came back against Sparta," Runge said. "I think we played one of our best games to date. The girls had 21 kills for the night. Middle player Kailyn Absher led with 7 as she did very well moving around the tough Sparta defense.

"Paige Vasquez led our defense with 10 digs. Mabry Wingerter followed closely with seven digs. Anyone who hasn't seen these Lady Jackets in action yet should come out and see them play. They are fun to watch!"