Unity wins volleyball regional championship, faces BCC next at sectional


Unity volleyball fans celebrate semifinal win over SJO
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

ST. JOSEPH - Unity student fans rush the floor after the Rockets defeated regional host St. Joseph-Ogden in an exciting three-set affair in Tuesday's Class 2A semifinal match. Two days later, fans had another reason to celebrate after Unity defeated Westville in straight sets 25-22, 25-15. The Rockets advance to the Clinton sectional semifinal to face Illini Prairie Conference foe Bloomington Central Catholic at 6 p.m. this Tuesday.

More match photos

Claire Meharry celebrate her kill for the Rockets in set two. Unity trailed by as many as four points early in the set, finally tying the contest at 12-all. The two Illini Prairie Conference foes would knot the score five more times until the Rockets scored four unanswered points from a 21-21 score late in set.


LEFT: Emily Osterbur sets the ball for the Rockets. After losing the first set 25-14, Osterbur's passing was a critical factor in Unity's second set rally. MIDDLE: Trying to erase a three-point deficit on the scoreboard, senior Jillian Schlittler serves midway in Set 2. RIGHT: Unity head coach Leah Luchinski gives instructions to her front row players after her team narrows the gap on the scoreboard.

Deri Behm cheers for the Rockets
Deri Behm, the bench and student fans celebrate a critical point for the Rockets. Behm is one of eight seniors on this season's Unity volleyball squad.

LEFT: Jillian Schlittler keeps the ball in play for the Rockets. Unity fought back after a slow start to take command of the match, taking set two from the Spartans, 25-21. MIDDLE: Unity fans sat on the edge of their seats as Rockets fought valiantly to hold off St. Joseph-Ogden's mini-rally to the score at 19-all as Schlittler makes a pass to their outside hitter. RIGHT: Schlittler back sets to middle hitter to start a four-point run. After tying the match 1-all with a 25-21 second set victory, the Rockets hit their stride to take the second 25-22, eliminating rival St. Joseph-Ogden from the postseason.


Westville Tigers advance in Class 2A volleyball semifinal


Photos: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Junior Ady Blakeney celebrates a point for Westville with teammates Lainey Wichtowski and Lexi Shumacher during first set action against Marshall at the St. Joseph-Ogden High School volleyball regionals. The Tigers went on to defeat the Lions in their semifinal match in a three-setter, 25-17, 21-25, 25-18. Westville advanced to the regional championship match to face Unity, who defeated host St. Joseph-Ogden 2-1 in the matinee match.

More match photos

TOP LEFT: Junior Gwen Bennett serves during set one for the Tigers. TOP MIDDLE: Ady Blakeney pounds the ball on an outside hit. TOP RIGHT: Freshman Lexi Shumacher leaps above the net for a kill.
BOTTOM LEFT: Junior libero Daylin Zaayer makes a routine pass to the front row. BOTTOM MIDDLE: Madelyn Doggett celebrates another kill to widen the Tigers lead over Marshall on the way to a first set victory. BOTTOM RIGHT: Doggett pass a serve from the Lions to the front row.


This year's regional varsity squad included Lily Munoz, Lani Newell, Daylin Zaayer, Madison Duke, Isabela Hundley, Taylor Valangeon, Lexi Newell, Madelyn Doggett, Chloe Cox, Lainey Wichtowski, Carlee Miller, Lexi Schumacher, Gwen Bennett, and Ady Blakeney.

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October 31


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