Jackets win 3-of-4 matches in Week 4 to improve to 6-8 overall and 2-2 in the Cahokia Conference
BY JIM BEERS, Contributing Writer
CHESTER – The Chester High School Lady Volleyball Jackets had a good Week 4 winning three games and losing one. The Jackets competed in the 2022 Trico Tournament Tuesday September 20 and Thursday September 22. Chester placed 2nd with a tournament record of 2 wins and 1 loss.
The Chester High School Lady Jackets Volleyball Team placed 2nd at the 2022 Trico Tournament. Chester recorded a tournament record of 2-1 having lost in the opening round to the hosts Trico Lady Pioneers in a three-set battle, but then rebounded to beat Steeleville and Sparta in two-sets apiece to take 2nd Place. The proud Lady Jackets pose for a photo with their 2nd Place trophy. Photo provided
In the event, Chester opened Tuesday against tournament hostesses, the Trico Lady Pioneers. In a hard-fought three-set battle, the Lady Jackets fell to Trico, 25-19, 20-25, and 10-15.
In the second round of the event, Thursday September 22, the Jackets had to play two games in one night. Chester faced the Steeleville Lady Warriors at 5:00 p.m., winning in two sets, 25-17 and 25-13. In the nightcap, the Lady Jackets beat Sparta in two sets, 25-20 and 25-17. With the tournament record of 2-1 Chester was runner-up in the 2022 Trico Tournament.
On Saturday September 24 CHS hosted Cahokia Conference rivals, the Wesclin Lady Warriors in a rare 10:30 a.m. meeting. Apparently several of Lady Warriors had to compete in a band competition in the early afternoon, thus forcing the early morning match.
In the match, the Lady Jackets defeated the Lady Warriors in two sets, 25-22 and 25-21 to improve to 2-2 in the Cahokia Conference and 6-8 overall.
Trico Tournament: Chester vs Trico, 9-20-22
CHS opened the Trico Tournament facing the Lady Trico Pioneers. Chester won the first set, 25-19, but lost the second set, 25-22 to force a third, tie-breaking set. In the final set, Chester lost, 15-9.
In the loss, Jordan Buskhol led the team in kills with 11. Mabry Wingerter led in assists with 25. She also had 1 kill and 6 digs. Ellen McCormick led the team in digs with 12. She also recorded 1 ace. Maleia Absher had a good game with 1 kill, 1 block assist, and 1 dig.
Paige Thomas added 8 digs and Paige Vasquez contributed 3 aces, 10 kills, 1 assist and she led the team in digs with 12. Maggie Caby had 6 kills, and 1 dig. Emma Eggemeyer 2 aces and 3 digs.
With the loss, Chester started the tournament with a record of 0-1. Overall the Lady Jackets fell to 3-8 for the year and 1-2 in the Cahokia Conference.
Trico Tournament: CHS beats Steeleville in Game 2, 9-22-22
On Thursday’s first game of the night the Lady Jackets beat the Steeleville Lady Warriors in 2 sets, 25-17 and 25-13. With the win, the Jackets evened their tournament record at 1-1. They also improved their overall 2022 record to 4-8.
In the win, Mabry recorded 19 assists to lead the team. She also had 2 digs, 1 ace, and 1 kill. Ellen McCormick led the Jackets in digs with 8 and added 3 aces, and 1 assist. Paige Vasquez led the team in kills with 11. She also recorded 2 digs. Jordan Buskhol had 6 kills. Paige Thomas added 3 digs. Maggie Caby had 3 kills, 1 ace, and 2 digs. Alexis Eggemeyer contributed 1 kill and 3 digs.
Trico Tournament: Lady Jackets win vs Sparta, 9-22-22 to earn 2nd Place
In the third and final game of the Trico Tournament Chester beat the Sparta Lady Bulldogs in two sets, 25-20 and 25-17 to end the tournament with a record of 2-1 and secure the 2nd Place trophy.
In the win, Jordan Buskhol led the team in kills with 9. She also added 1 dig, and 1 block assist. Paige Thomas contributed 2 aces, and 4 digs. Ellen McCormick led the team in digs with 13. She also added 1 assist. Paige Vasquez had 7 kills, and 6 digs. Mabry Wingerter led the team in assists with 20. She also had 1 ace, 3 block assists, and 5 digs.
Maleia Absher had 1 kill and 1 dig. Maggie Caby contributed 2 aces, 1 kill and 1 dig. Alexis Eggemeyer added 3 kills while Emma Eggemeyer added 4 digs.
With the victory, the Lady Jackets earned the 2nd Place trophy with their tournament record of 2-1. They also improved to an overall record for the season of 5-8. In addition, two Chester Lady Jackets were selected for the 2022 Trico All-Tournament Team including Paige Vasquez and Mabry Wingerter.
Lady Jacket Head Coach Collen Runge said, “This week we played in the Trico Tournament and took second place!! Congratulations Lady Jackets on a job well done!!! Also a special shout out to our two All-Tournament Team members, Paige Vasquez and Mabry Wingerter. Way to represent!”
Lady Jackets beat Wesclin, in two sets on 9-22-22 to even Cahokia Conference record at 2-2
The Lady Jackets ended a busy, successful Week 4 Saturday morning September 24 with a rare early morning match. The Jackets hosted the Wesclin Lady Warriors at 10:30 a.m., winning the match in two sets, 25-22 and 25-21.
Paige Vasques and Mabry Wingerter pose with their individual trophies they earned being named to the 2022 Trico Tournament All-Tournament Team. Vasquez, a senior, and Wingerter, a junior, contributed significantly to the Lady Jacket’s 2nd Place finish in the tournament. Photo provided
In the win, Paige Vasquez led the team in kills with 12 and aces with 2. She also had 1 block assist, 6 digs, and 1 assist. Mabry Wingerter led the team in assists with 25 to go with her 2 aces, 2 kills, 1 block assist, and 4 digs.
Ellen McCormick led the team in digs with 8 and she added 1 ace, and 1 assist. Maleia Absher contributed 2 block assists, and 1 dig. Jordan Buskhol banged 10 kills with 1 solo block! Paige Thomas added 1 ace and 7 digs. Maggie Caby recorded 3 kills and 1 dig. Finally, Emma Eggemeyer added 2 aces, 1 assist, and 3 digs.
With the win, Chester improved to an overall record of 6-8 and the Cahokia Conference victory improved the conference record to an even, 2-2. The victory also gave the Jackets their third win in-a-row.
Coach Colleen Runge said, “Wesclin was a big conference win for us! They were on an 8-game winning streak, which we broke!”