The showdown of the past week featured cross-county rivals Columbia and Waterloo at WHS on Thursday, with the Eagles securing a hard-fought 25-19, 25-22 win.

Colene Hamilton continued her powerful play for the Eagles this fall, registering 15 kills on the night. Other key contributors for Columbia were Kelly Metter, who leads the team in points (73) and digs (127), and Jordan Hausmann, who has 28 blocks this fall.

For Waterloo, Skylar Geske led the team with five service points. Kathryn Finnerty led with six kills; Megan Gilliam and Sam Kruse led in serve-receive and defense. Hannah Cope had two solo blocks and 15 assists for the ‘Dogs.

“The game against Waterloo was very exciting and the girls always look very forward to the rivalry,” Columbia coach Kelly Landgraf said. “The Waterloo game was the first time all season we had seen a powerful middle hitter and a strong block.  I think we did a great job adjusting to the block and keeping their blockers moving.”

Columbia followed Thursday’s victory by winning three of five matches on a busy Saturday at the Mascoutah Tournament. The Eagles topped Metro East Lutheran in two sets before falling to Mascoutah in three sets and Murphysboro in two sets. The Eagles bounced back to defeat Centralia in two sets and then Freeburg in two sets.

Landgraf said her team’s offense and defense in the morning matches  against Metro East Lutheran and Centralia were consistent.

“Mascoutah put up some big blocks that we were not able to pick up,” Landgraf said of her team’s first loss. “They also keyed in on where we were setting the ball and we struggled offensively to get a side out.”

Columbia (12-2) played at Breese Central on Tuesday and will play at Red Bud on Thursday in conference play.

Prior to Thursday’s loss, Waterloo defeated East St. Louis last Tuesday, 25-18, 25-13. Cope had 11 service points and 17 assists, and Kruse recorded six kills. Kruse leads the team with 50 kills this fall.
Waterloo coach Angie Crawford added that her defense was sound, led by Kruse and Gilliam.

“The girls are starting to come together,” Crawford said. “We have to work on staying consistent and playing at our potential. This group of girls have amazing moments and are awesome to coach.  We just have to continue to work on team chemistry and mental toughness.”

The Bulldogs played at Jerseyville on Tuesday and will host Civic Memorial this Thursday and Mascoutah on Sept. 22.

In other local volleyball action, Gibault improved to 7-1 on the season with a 25-17, 25-14 win over Granite City on Monday.

Lauren Goldschmidt leads the Hawks with 56 kills to go along with 49 digs. Bailey Lehmann has 39 service points this season; Kelly Dooley leads in digs with 52.

The Hawks host Metro East Lutheran on Wednesday before playing at O’Fallon on Friday.

Following a tough two-set loss at home to Red Bud last Wednesday, Valmeyer won the bronze division of the Benton Tournament on Saturday.

The Pirates went 1-3 in pool play, losing to Class 2A Pinckneyville in three close sets and Class 3A Benton. After topping Sesser-Valier, Valmeyer beat Thompsonville and Grayville in the bronze division.

“We did a great job beating the teams that are the same size as our school,” Valmeyer coach Jenny Kohnz said. “We struggle or get intimidated by the larger schools.”

Valmeyer was led by setter/left side hitter Blair Brady and setter/middle hitter Jordyn Killy, who each earned all-tournament honors.

“These two girls run the offense from the back row and then are the go-to hitter when they go to the front row,” Kohnz said.

Savannah Williams, Cierra Goldschmidt and 6-foot-2 middle hitter April Thomason also helped lead the offense, Kohnz said.

Valmeyer plays Marissa and Dupo this week, both conference rivals, before competing in the New Berlin tournament this weekend.

Dupo is 6-7 on the season following recent wins over Marissa and Lebanon, both in three sets.
Skylure Barlow leads the team with 47 service points. Taylor Esmon is tops on the team with 52 kills. Caitlyn Brizzi leads the Tigers in digs with 158.

Following Thursday’s match at home against Valmeyer, the Tigers travel to New Athens on Tuesday.