Class 1A volleyball roundup: Tribe, Broncos make history
Oct. 27—CASEY — Cerro Gordo/Bement's historic volleyball season now includes the program's first-ever regional championship.
The top-seeded Broncos downed fourth-seeded Oblong in a 25-17, 25-18 decision on Thursday night to claim the Class 1A regional hosted by Casey-Westfield and earn their 28th win of the season, another high mark for the program in a season full of them.
"We came out right from the start and played really well," Broncos coach Diann Durbin said. "Every time they came back in the game, we pushed through and stepped up and worked hard. (We) followed through and came up big."
Ali Walker led the way for the Broncos' attack with six kills, four digs and two aces, while Haylei Simpson chipped in 16 assists, a block and ace in the sweep.
Skye Tieman added eight digs to pace CG/B's defense, with Jadyn McCarty tallying four kills and two blocks and Joie Auth, Caroline Hill and Jayda Scott providing additional blocks. Auth also contributed three kills.
"Ali was doing really well on her hits, swinging hard," Durbin said. "(Haylei) was putting the sets right where she likes them and Ali was putting them down and having great hits."
The Broncos will face LeRoy (23-14) at 6 p.m. on Monday in a 1A sectional semifinal match hosted by Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg. The Panthers topped Argenta-Oreana 25-19, 25-22 in a regional final at LeRoy's Dud Berry Gymnasium to set up a meeting with the history-making Broncos.
"All of the hard work and determination that they have put into this season," Durbin said, "it just shows when you work hard and play as a team, great things happen."
Tribe prevail. Top-seeded Judah Christian's first-ever regional volleyball championship came down to a third set against fourth-seeded Villa Grove on Thursday night.
The Tribe prevailed in an 18-25, 25-18, 25-19 thriller in the 1A Salt Fork Regional title match that was powered by 13 kills and 12 digs from Rachel Divan, 21 assists from Klementine Davis and 15 digs and three aces from Brelyn Riesberg.
Judah Christian (28-1) also received four kills and three blocks from Avoni Kelly, four aces and two blocks from Riley Pritts. The Blue Devils (18-12) were led by 13 kills from Logan Lillard, nine kills from Jobella Crafton and 19 assists from Kayln Cordes.
The Tribe will face sectional host Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg (32-5) in a semifinal match at 7 p.m. on Monday after the second-seeded Hatchets dealt sixth-seeded Arcola a 25-18, 25-16 loss in a 1A regional final in Bethany. The Purple Riders closed out the season with a 17-10 record.
Cissna Park advances. Thirteen is Cissna Park volleyball's lucky number apparently.
The top-seeded Timberwolves earned their 13th IHSA regional plaque with a 25-12, 25-15 victory against fourth-seeded Streator Woodland during a 1A final in Dwight on Thursday night.
Addison Lucht paced the Timberwolves' offense with 10 kills, while Ava Morrical triggered 16 assists and served five aces.
Brooklyn Stadeli added six digs to lead Cissna Park's defensive effort.
Cissna Park (34-3) will carry a 14-match win streak into a 7 p.m. sectional semifinal match with Morgan Park Academy (22-6-2) on Monday in Streator.
