HS volleyball: Staunton locks up fifth consecutive conference title, extends SCC win streak to 52 matches
The Staunton High School volleyball team celebrates its program’s fifth consecutive South Central Conference title and 52nd consecutive SCC win after defeating Carlinville, 25-23, 25-22 Oct. 24. Enquirer Democrat photo by Jackson Wilson.
By JACKSON WILSON
Enquirer Democrat Reporter
Last winter, several Staunton High School volleyball athletes watched Gillespie celebrate a Macoupin County Tournament title as basketball players but beat their rival in a rematch with conference supremecy on the line. The same goal was achieved for the Bulldogs down the final stretch of the volleyball regular season at Carlinville Oct. 24.
After losing in two sets against the Cavaliers in the championship of the Macoupin County Tournament, the Bulldogs seized redemption with a 25-23, 25-22 straight set on enemy hardwood to lock up a fifth consecutive South Central title and extend a lengthy conference winning streak to 52 matches
With both squads owning 8-0 SCC records entering the “winner take all” contest, Staunton seniors Ele Feldmann, Grace Bekeske, Gianna Bianco, Lilly Bandy and Lilly Troeckler closed their high school careers perfect in league play while spoiling the Senior Night of Jordyn Loveless, Makenah Dugan, Isabella Tiburzi, Addison Ruyle, Braley Wiser, Chloe Pope and Hannah Gibson in front of a packed Big House and two raucous student sections.
Staunton, which straight set North Mac 25-17, 25-21 in its home finale at SHS Oct. 22, enters the playoffs 25-10 overall. The Bulldogs ended the regular season losing three out of four matches at a tournament over the weekend. Staunton defeated Hamilton County but was straight set by Centralia, Civic Memorial and Massac County.
Carlinville previously rallied past Hillsboro for a key conference win, 20-25, 25-15, 25-12, despite having Gibson sidelined with an injury Oct. 22. Gibson returned to action against Staunton and will be in the postseason rotation for the Cavaliers, who are 26-7-1 overall.
Other action
In other action, Southwestern closed the regular season with victories over a trio of conference foes, including Gillespie on Senior Night Oct. 22. The Birds also defeated Litchfield and Greenville. Each match was decided in three sets. Southwestern is 15-18 overall and 5-4 in the SCC.
Mt. Olive straight set Bunker Hill on Senior Night, 25-15, 25-22 Oct. 21. The Wildcats followed up that victory with another MSM conference win at Tri-City, 25-17, 18-25, 25-23 Oct. 24.
Bunker Hill ended a 13-game losing streak and improved to 5-22 with a 25-22, 25-15 home win over First Baptist O’Fallon Oct. 24.
Gillespie finished 8-23 overall and 3-6 in the SCC with a 17-25, 17-25 conference loss at Litchfield Oct. 24.
IHSA postseason begins
The Illinois High School Association volleyball playoffs began Oct. 28. Look for coverage in next week’s issue of the Macoupin County Enquirer Democrat.
