PCHS Volleyball Edges Herrin

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ Pinckneyville Community High School notched a huge volleyball victory Monday, defeating Herrin in a rugged three-game match in Thomas Gymnasium.

Scores were 25-20, 23-25, 27-25.

PCHS is 6-7 and idle until next week.

"This was a big win for us," admitted coach Katey Shaneyfelt.

"To be able to end a close game like this on top is huge for our team. The intensity level of our play is increasing every match."

Against Herrin, Mandi Kellerman and Haleigh Hagood managed to go 33-for-34 at the serving line.

Kellerman added a match-best 16 kills with Elizabeth Wittmer contributing 10 more.

Lauren Winter had 22 assists and Nicole Cheek led with 11 digs.

"Now these young ladies are expecting to win and not just hoping to," Shaneyfelt said.

Du QUOIN vs. MURPHY

A powerful Murphysboro team wasted little time in beating Du Quoin, 25-9 and 25-11, in girls prep volleyball action Monday night.

The Lady Indians, 1-11, host Nashville Tuesday at Du Quoin (Middle School).

No other details of Monday's match were provided.

Saturday, DHS placed second in its own 2nd Annual Freshman Invitational Tournament.

Du Quoin (2-1) trailed only Herrin (3-0) in the final team standings.

Murphysboro (1-2) and Sesser-Valier/Waltonville (0-3) also competed.

"The girls played really well together and just came up a little short in a three-game match with Herrin," Du Quoin coach Isaac Miller said. "Overall, we had a great day of volleyball."

The DHS frosh are 4-2. In the tourney, they defeated Murphysboro 21-7, 21-18 and then edged S-V/W 21-11, 15-21, 15-5.

LADY FALCONS WIN WEEKEND EVENT

Host Elverado won a tie-breaker with Crab Orchard Saturday, earning the championship of a four-team round robin.

The Lady Falcons and Crab Orchard each ended play with 2-1 records.

However, Elverado had a better in-tournament game record at 5-2.

Now 6-2 overall, Elverado welcomes Crab Orchard for a return visit to the Falcon Pit Tuesday night.

"We played a very good tournament and it was another great team effort," Lady Falcons coach Donette Wheatley said. "We did a great job all day to rally back after that first loss."

Elverado fell 16-25, 25-12, 10-15 against Crab Orchard in Saturday's first match before turning back Zeigler-Royalton (25-18, 25-12) and Christopher (25-8, 25-23).

Wheatley suffered a wrist injury last week and underwent surgery.

Former Du Quoin coach Jane Tuthill filled in, conducting practices until Wheatley could return.

"Its been an adjustment for the players," Wheatley said. "But they are doing a great job."

Tournament Statistics

Julia Bost: 26-29 serving, 15 points, 3 aces, 23 assists, 10-11 hitting, 4 kills, 3 digs; Jenna Cochran: 21 digs; Mallory Winthrop: 23-25 serving, 14 points, 3 aces, 7 blocks, 59-70 hitting, 22 kills, 1 dig; Kelsey Tuthill: 23-24 serving, 15 points, 2 aces, 78-79 sets, 17 assists, 12-16 hitting, 3 kills, 20 digs; Katie Watts: 13-17 serving, 9 points,, 1 ace, 21-24 hitting, 14 kills, 26 digs; Hanna Scott: 27-32 serving, 27 points, 3 aces, 1 block, 21-25 hitting, 2 kills, 21 digs;

Jennifer Yates: 21-21 serving, 15 points, 1 ace, 1 block, 35-41 hitting, 7 kills, 2 digs.

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Elverado 3-1; 2. Crab Orchard 3-1; 3. Christopher 2-2, 4. Zeigher-Royalton 0-4.