Seggebruch leads Spartans, SJO falls to St. Thomas More in regional title match

OAKWOOD – The St. Joseph-Ogden (18-19) Spartans faced a formidable opponent in the St. Thomas More Sabers during the Oakwood Regional Championship on Thursday night, ultimately falling in straight sets, 25-18, 25-15. The loss marked the end of the season for the Spartans, whose relentless efforts came up short against a disciplined and polished Sabers team that finished second in the Illini Prairie Conference.

The Sabers (33-4), led by a balanced offense and impenetrable defense, established dominance early in the first set. Despite SJO's strong efforts, which included 13 kills in the opener, they struggled to maintain momentum.

Senior Ava Seggebruch spearheaded the Spartans' offense, tallying six kills and contributing two blocks and five digs. The Spartans aimed to turn the tide after the initial setback, but St. Thomas More's cohesive play kept SJO on the defensive in the second set.

Fellow senior Reese Wheatley joined Seggebruch in leading the defensive efforts, contributing the Spartans’ two blocks, while Ally Schmitz and Tinley Ideus added offensive depth with five and four kills, respectively. Ideus also showcased her defensive agility, totaling 10 digs, while Thea Smith supported with four saves. x

Setter Emma McKinney delivered 16 assists, keeping the offense in motion as SJO fought to stay within striking distance of the Sabers.

This year's St. Joseph-Ogden varsity squad was made up of Katie Ericksen, Kylie Barrowman, Timera Blackburn-Kelley, Tinley Ideus, Ally Schmitz, Amelia Huckstadt, Thea Smith, Addison Brooks, Hadley McDonald, Emma McKinney, Lillian Ahart, Adelyn Childers, Reese Wheatley, Emma Wells, Ava Midkiff, Ava Seggebruch, Vivian Smith, McKenzie Atwood, Adeline Stevens, Alivia Learned, Kayla Osterbur, Lexie Barrowman, and Emerson Williams.

St. Thomas More advances to the Monticello section semifinal on Tuesday against Maroa-Forsyth.

Keywords: St. Joseph-Ogden volleyball, Oakwood regional championship, high school volleyball playoffs, St. Thomas More volleyball, SJO Spartans volleyball

Spartans start postseason run with a victory over the Cornjerkers

St. Joseph-Ogden's Peyton Williams tips the ball over Hoopeston Area's Tobi West during second set action of their Class 2A semifinal volleyball match at Bismark-Henning-Rossville-Alvin High School on Tuesday.

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BISMARCK -- The St. Joseph-Ogden volleyball team opened their postseason run with a 2-0 win over Hoopeston Area at the Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin Class 2A regional on Tuesday. SJO won the first set 25-18 and took the second by two points, 25-23.

Senior Shayne Immke barely missed posting a double-double for the Spartans tallying 11 kills and nine digs against the Cornjerkers. Addie Roesch posted nine kills and led the team on defense with ten digs.

Mikyla Haley and Peyton Williams contributed six digs a piece to help put SJO in the regional championship game against the host BHRA on Thursday. Senior Taylor Hug recorded 26 assist and two digs in the squad's first postseason contest.

Top left: SJO libero Mikyla Haley passes the ball to the front row during first set action against the Cornjerkers. Top right: Spartans' Addie Roesch attempts to put the ball away between Hoopeston Area blockers Kaitlynn Lange and Charissa Johnson. Bottom left: Shayne Immke takes a big swing at the ball for one of her 11 kills in the IHSA regional match through Cornjerkers' Logan Watson. Bottom right: Taylor Hug, Josey Frerichs and Peyton Williams wait for an HA player to serve during set two of their match. Photos: PhotoNews Media

Urbana advances in volleyball regionals

Urbana's Sydni Uher, Valentina Gonzalez-Ahuerma, Kenzie Sprague and Sammi Christman celebrate with fans after winning the team's quarterfinal match against Danville at the Class 3A Rantoul regional on Monday. The Tigers, who fell to the 2-0 earlier in the season against the Vikings, advance to Wednesday's semifinal action after posting a 25-18, 17-25, 25-16, victory.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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Area volleyball teams start postseason competition next week

Urbana -- With regular season play ending today, four Sentinel area volleyball teams will compete for a regional volleyball title starting next week. St. Joseph-Ogden, Unity, Urbana and University High each have the opportunity to bring home a championship plaque.

PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Mikyla Haley pass the ball to the setter in St. Joseph-Ogden's home volleyball match against Teutopolis earlier this season. The Spartans are the #1 seed in their regional when the IHSA state series starts next Monday.

Earning a #9 seed, Urbana (3-21, 2-8) will open their postseason play against fellow Big 12 Conference foe Danville. The two teams will square off on Monday at Rantoul Township High School in the regional's solo quarterfinal match scheduled to start at 6pm.

The winner advances to face Normal University in the Class 3A regional semifinals. Earlier in the season, Tigers fell in straight sets on the road, 25-20, 25-21, to the Vikings (6-25, 3-7) in conference action on September 29.

U-High (5-19, 1-4) will take on Armstrong on Tuesday, October 25, at 7:00 pm to start their postseason run in the St. Thomas More regional. Should the #11 Illineks defeat the #5 seed Trojans, they will face the winner between LeRoy and Schlarman in the Class 1A bracket on Wednesday.

Unity (12-15-2), who finished 4-4 in the Illini Praire Conference, will also take the court in Arthur to face #7 seed St. Teresa. Earlier in the season, despite five kills from JJ LeFaivre, and six apiece from teammates Kaitlyn Schweighart and Emmalee Atkins, the Rockets dropped the regular season meeting between the two teams 2-1.

The winner advances to Tuesday's 6pm semifinal against the host Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond. The Lady Knights boast an impressive 23-4 record and won the Lincoln Prairie Conference title with a perfect 9-0 record.

Earning a bye into the semifinals in the Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin regional #1 seed St. Joseph-Ogden plays their first postseason match against the winner of Monday's contest between Hoopeston Area and Oakwood. The SJO program outscored both teams by a combined 100-65 points during the season.

A win on Tuesday, will then pit the Spartans against either Paris or BHRA in the regional title match.