Freshmen and Varsity win in two sets; JV wins in three sets to sweep the Lady Wildcats
BY JIM BEERS
Tuesday August 25 was the season opener for Chester High School Lady Jacket Volleyball. A large crowd filled Colbert Memorial Gymnasium to support the Lady Jackets. All three levels, Freshmen, JV and Varsity, competed, to showcase the 2026 season for loyal and very supportive fans.
A great crowd of students and adult volleyball fans crammed Chester High School Colbert Memorial Gymnasium Tuesday August 25 to help support the Lady Jackets in their season opener. The Jackets hosted the Lady Wildcats from Anna-Jonesboro, winning in two sets, 26-24 and 25-17. Shown here, CHS students form a tunnel to greet the Lady Jackets onto Colbert Gymnasium’s Rocky Bridges Court for the first time this new 2026 volleyball season. Jim Beers Photo
The 10-member Freshmen Team, featuring seven Freshmen and supplemented by three sophomores, opened the action at 5:00 p.m. Due to low numbers at the freshmen level, it was necessary to have three members of the sophomore group to assist the freshmen in order to have enough plyers to allow for substitutions.
Freshmen players included (14) Alexis House, OH/MB, (23) Alexa Duvall, MB, (1) Alyssa Lemanski, OH, (11) Aubree Kumke, Libero/DS, (20) Braelynn Lyons, (20), MB, (55) Kinsley Hecht, OH/MB, and (33) Mabrie Cushman, S. Sophomores include (6) Kinsley Davitz, DS, (22) Brystol Stellhorn, MB, and (25) Hadlie Cushman, S. The Freshman Team won in two commanding sets, 21-10 and 21-9.
The Junior Varsity Team (JV) included all seven freshmen, all three sophomores, and six juniors for a total roster of 16 players. Freshmen and sophomores are listed above with the Freshman Team description.
Juniors include (4) Marlie Caby, S, (17) Jaden Bert, Libero/DS, (21) Maddie Hurst-Roy, MB, (7) Ashley Garcia-Sanchez, DS, (35) Taylor Korando, OH/DS, and (26) Maci Ahring, MB/OPP.
The JV won the match, but made things extremely interesting, taking all three sets to secure the win.
Chester led early in Set 1, but allowed AJ to catch up and eventually win the first set, 23-25. In Set 2, both teams fought hard. Chester led early, but AJ caught up to tie the score and eventually took the lead near the end. The Lady Jackets, however, fought hard to overtake the Lady Wildcats with a 25-22 victory. This forced a third set to break the 1-1 tie. In the tie-breaker, it was neck-and-neck right up until the end. Chester played well when it counted, however, to win Set 3, 15-13, and the match.
The Varsity Team played hard and beat Anna-Jonesboro in straight sets, 26-24 and 25-17. This year’s Varsity has a roster of 13 players including two freshmen, one sophomore, six juniors, and four seniors.
Freshmen are Alexa Duvall and Braelynn Lyons. They are listed above in the Freshman Team report. The lone sophomore is (2) Morgan Nanney, OH. Juniors are Jaden Bert, Marlie Caby, Maddie Hurst-Roy, Taylor Korando, Hanna Crow, and Ashley Garcia-Sanchez (all who are listed above in the JV Team description) and (12) Hannah Crow, OH/DS. The four senior standouts are (3) Aleah Eggemeyer, S, (5) Aubrey Colvis, MB, (10) Avery Hasemeyer, OPP, and (9) Joella Eggemeyer, LIBERO.
The Varsity match was hard-fought and went down to the wire! Set 1 featured five ties, one of which occurred at the 24-24 mark. The Lady Wildcats never led in the set. Aleah Eggemeyer came in and served the final two winning points to win Set 1.
Set 2 featured two lead changes early, and three ties, 2-2, 3-3, and 7-7. AJ led just once, 4-3, otherwise the Lady Jackets led the rest of the set. Chester’s biggest lead was nine points, 19-10, after going on a 9-0 run. The Wildcats outscored the Jackets 7-6 down the stretch, but Chester’s big lead enabled them to win by eight points, 25-17.
Head Coach, Colleen Runge commented after the game, “I am proud of all the girls and their performances. I would like to highlight Joella Eggemeyer for taking on the role of Libero this year. It is out of her comfort zone and I couldn’t be more proud of her determination and dedication to learning the new position and doing it well!”
Hannah Crow also stepped up in the outside hitter position this year. She had a great game with four kills! She is really starting to find her groove out there!”
Aubrey Colvis led the team in kills with three. Aleah Eggemeyer had 17 assists. Joella Eggemeyer and Hannah Crow each had nine digs apiece. Avery Hasemeyer killed at the serving line with five aces, followed by Joella Eggemeyer who had three aces.”
The Lady Jackets return to CHS Colbert Gymnasium Thursday August 27 to host East Alton-Wood River in three matches. The Freshmen start at 5 p.m. The JV play at 6 p.m., followed by the nightcap game with the Varsity at 7:30 p.m.
Next Week Chester will hit the road. Lady Jackets will play at Wesclin in the Cahokia Conference opener Tuesday September 1. All three levels will play. Saturday September 5 the Lady Jackets will compete at the 2026 Carbondale High School Tournament. This event starts at 9 a.m.
The Lady Jackets are coached by Colleen Runge, Head Coach, and Shannon Wolff, Assistant Coach.
Lady Jacket Senior Volleyball Libero, Joella Eggemeyer (9) helped lead the Chester squad to a sweep of the Anna-Jonesboro Lady Wildcats Tuesday August 25. The Jackets won in two sets, 26-24 and 25-17, to open the 2026 season. Joella moved into the Libero position this season and has done a great job making the adjustment to Libero. Jim Beers Photo