Cougars super once again: Eastland makes second straight trip to state tournament
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| As their teammates look on, Eastland’s Katelyn Dickman (14) and Sidney Kane (10) sit on the ground after tackling each other during the celebration of a return trip to the state tournament thanks to the Cougars’ Class 1A South Beloit Super-sectional victory over Newark on Saturday. (Chris Padgett/cpadgett@svnmail.com) |
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All year long the Eastland Cougars have talked about putting last year’s volleyball state championship behind them to focus on this season.
Let those memories come flooding back.
Eastland earned its second straight trip to the Final Four in dominating fashion on Saturday night, defeating Newark 25-9, 25-11 in the Class 1A South Beloit Supersectional.
“It’s just awesome, amazing, exciting, every great feeling you can think of,” senior captain Karissa Pierce said. “We knew we could do it again if we all worked together toward that one goal, but to accomplish it is just unbelievable.”
The Cougars (38-2) used the same formula to pick up their 24th straight victory as they did to pick up No. 23 in Thursday’s sectional championship. Strong, aggressive serving topped off by stellar passing and kill after kill smashed across the net.
“We just really focused on getting the ball into system and going on a lot of runs with our serving and attacks,” junior setter Hope Linker said. “We started off strong right away from Point One – like we’ve been doing a lot lately – and had lots of intensity and enthusiasm.
“We passed really well, we didn’t make a lot of errors and every ball they hit we hit right back at them.”
The start wasn’t exactly what coach Kristy Pierce had hoped for, with Newark opening both games of the match well. But a pair of Courtney Blair kills and a Megan Bunyer smash got the Norsemen (25-13) back on their heels and the Cougars rolled from there.
“We played together and played relaxed,” Blair said. “We got some amazing passes to Hope, and she set us great and everything worked out.”
Blair led the way with nine kills and six blocks, and Linker dished out 19 assists and served four aces. Katelyn Hasken added five kills and four aces, Pierce and Bunyer added four kills each and Kerby Kniss (6 digs) and Kaitlyn Bissell (5 digs) led the defense.
The trip to state starts Wednesday with the drive to Normal, then the Cougars hit the floor for a practice session Thursday morning. Eastland will play the second 1A semifinal match Friday morning around 10:30, squaring off in a Final Four rematch against Toldeo Cumberland, who the Cougars beat 25-22, 25-16 in last year’s semis.
No matter the outcome of this year’s trip to the state finals, the Cougars will enjoy it just as much as last year’s 1A title run.
“I think it feels better,” junior setter Hope Linker said. “Back-to-back trips to state ... we’re just very excited to have this happen again.”
“Last year was amazing, and this year is even better,” junior middle hitter Courtney Blair echoed. “We’re playing our game – and we’re playing it really well – and we just have to keep playing strong.”
Game scores: 25-9, 25-11
Star of the match: Courtney Blair, Eastland, 9 kills, 6 blocks
Key performers: Hope Linker, Eastland, 19 assists, 4 aces; Katelyn Hasken, Eastland, 5 kills, 4 aces
Up next: Class 1A state tournament, semifinals, Eastland vs. Toldeo Cumberland, 10:30 a.m. Friday
