Article and photos by T Ray Henry
On Thursday, October 8th, the Marshall High School volleyball team traveled to Newton Community High School to take on the Lady Eagles in a Little Illini Conference battle for first place in the conference standings. Marshall came into the match with a record of 18-7, while Newton, ranked #7 in IHSA Class 2A by MaxPreps and Illinois Prep, came in with a record of 22-2.
To say that this meeting represented a David vs. Goliath scenario would be completely accurate, for Newton is a perennial powerhouse in high school volleyball, winning outright or sharing the last five conference championships. Under current head coach Jill Kistner, who began coaching the Lady Eagles when Marshall head coach Karlee McCollum was still in high school, has won 365 games at Newton during the past 13+ seasons. That total number of wins under Kistner in less than a decade and a half accounts for more wins than the 290 wins in Marshall High School history (including the 18 wins by the Lions thus far in this season). Five regional championships, two sectional championships, and a trip to the final four during Coach Kistner’s tenure leap off the page, and it shows other schools in the LIC where they want their programs to be.
With Marshall thinking ahead towards their match next week versus Casey-Westfield, combined with it being the start of fall break for Marshall schools, the Lions played this match at times like they knew they could compete with the best teams in the state, and, conversely, they played at times like they were already on vacation and their cars were double parked in the lot outside the gym. These factors, along with the fact that this match was the last one before the squad finally had a chance to catch their breath after playing three to eight volleyball matches per week every week since the first of September, ended in the Lions falling to the Lady Eagles in straight sets 25-14 and 25-16.
In the opening set, Newton got out to a 10-1 lead before Marshall awakened and played the Lady Eagles even the rest of the way. The closest the Lions got was seven points, but they never threatened in losing the opening set 25-14. Harper Richardson had two kills and two winners during the set, while Lilly Ross scored a winner and a two tips. Ellie Delp and McKenzie Davis each served an ace, and Davis also scored a kill.
In the second set, the Lions once again fell behind, but they decided to play after falling behind 13-4. The Lions got their early points on a kill from Lilly Ross, a block by Harper Richardson and McKenzie Davis, and a kill by Lauren English. With Marshall trailing by nine, the Lions outscored Newton 8-2 over the next stretch of play to get within three points to make the score 15-12 after two kills by Lilly Ross, a kill and two aces by Harper Richardson, a block by Lilly Ross and Libby Huisinga, and a tip winner by Lauren English.
The Lions kept pace through kills by Lilly Ross and Lauren English, but down the stretch, Newton shut the Marshall strikes both inside and outside down as the Lady Eagles won the second set 25-16 to take the match in straight sets. The win gives Newton (23-2) sole possession of first place in the conference standings with two matches remaining on the schedule. Marshall falls into a virtual tie for second place with Lawrenceville.
Statistical Leaders
Aces - Richardson 2, Davis 1, Delp 1, English 1, Ross 1
Assists - Richardson 6, Ross 4
Blocks - English 2, Ross 2, Davis 1, Huisinga 1, Richardson 1
Digs - English 5, Richardson 5, Ross 5
Kills - Ross 5, Richardson 4, English 2
In the junior varsity match, Marshall never got on track against Newton while also falling in two sets 25-11 and 25-10. Marshall served the ball well in the JV match, however, with Lauren Richards, Susie Strohm, and Libby Huisinga each serving aces. Breck Bishop and Libby Huisinga accounted for all of Marshall’s scoring at the net.
Marshall (18-8) plays their next match Thursday, October 15th when the Lions host Casey-Westfield for an LIC conference doubleheader beginning at 6:00 PM (JV match) inside McNary Gymnasium. It is Senior Night for Marshall seniors McKenzie Davis, Ellie Delp, Nya Engledow, Lauren English, and Harper Richardson, who will each be honored between the JV and varsity matches. Come on out to McNary next Thursday and recognize these outstanding student athletes and cheer them on as they play their final home match.
Lilly Ross (2) scores a kill down the left side at Newton
Libby Huisinga (center) bumps the ball backwards over the net
Ellie Delp (10) wins the battle at the net
Harper Richardson (center) smashes a kill against Newton
