Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Katelyn Winters celebrates with her team center court after the Lady Blackhawks punched their ticket into the Class 1A state title game at the IHSA Girls Volleyball State Finals on Friday morning. Stockton will face Calhoun in the championship contest starting at 9 AM at CEFCU Arena.
NORMAL - In a thrilling three-set battle, Stockton rallied from a first-set deficit to defeat the Hartsburg-Emden 2-1 in the IHSA Girls Volleyball State Finals semifinal at CEFCU Arena. The Stags, led by Alayna Briggs, took the opening set 25-12. However, the Lady Blackhawks responded with a dominant performance in the second and third sets, winning 25-20 and 25-21, respectively. Briggs tallied 20 kills, 1 ace, and 7 digs. "We know that wasn't our game. In the second and third set the girls came alive and they were able to get the job done," said Stockton head coach Maddie Pontius said about lopsided loss in the first set. She attributed the drubbing to first-set jitters, something that first-time teams experience on the floor at CEFCU. "This was their first trip. They should be nervous. I'm just glad they were able to bounce back." Madie Mammoser led Stockton's offense with 17 kills and 11 digs, while Kacy Wright contributed 19 assists, 10 digs, and 6 kills. Taylor Haas added 10 kills, and Katelyn Winters had 6 kills and 8 digs. Lady Blackhawk senior Mattie Mammoser the first set loss lit a fire. "I think we just kind of woke up. The first set was like a warm-up set. Then everything started going right," said Mammoser, who led Stockton's offensive effort with 17 kills. For Hartsburg-Emden, Cambelle Hopkins had 8 kills and 11 digs, while A Briggs added 4 kills and 4 aces. Sadie Williams led the defense with 10 digs, and Celia Cross distributed 35 assists. This is the first state final appearance for the Lady Blackhawks, who will face Calhoun in Saturday's championship match. "It is an amazing feeling," said Pontius. "It is the first trip in school history. It is an incredible feeling. These girls have put in so much hardwork and effort. Just their focus to win and determination to win is amazing." Calhoun defeated Cissna Park in straight sets in the other semifinal. The Stags, who have won one state title and three runner-up trophies, will play for third place.
KEYWORDS: IHSA Girls Volleyball State Finals, Stockton Lady Blackhawks, Hartsburg-Emden Stags, State Championship Match, State Volleyball
