The Macomb High varsity volleyball team wrapped up the regular by posting a 2-2 record at the Quincy Notre Dame Tournament.
“I am beyond pleased with our performance at the QND Classic this weekend,” said MHS coach Hillary Humes. “It’s hard to go in and compete in a tournament with tough teams right before regionals.”
“You don’t want to lose all your matches and not play well and have that defeat you before you play your first post season match,” she added. “But on the flip side, if you can go in and compete, and win, it can really boost your team morale and give you all the confidence that you can go into the regional and not only play well, but win.”
Playing Friday afternoon at Quincy University, the Bombers opened play by dropping a 25-22, 25-22 decision to Lincoln.
Macomb rebounded to down Decatur St. Teresa 25-21, 25-21, finishing the day with a split.
On Saturday morning, MHS headed to QND High School to face the host Raiders.
The Bombers battled their way to a 25-16, 14-25, 16-14 victory.
The two teams had faced each other in Macomb on Oct. 8 with QND winning 25-18, 25-20.
In its final match, Macomb lost to Class 3A top-ranked Breese Mater Dei 25-17, 25-11.
“Defeating QND in three was obviously the highlight of our weekend,” said Humes. “Losing to them at home in two close sets, we knew we could compete with them, and if we kept our errors low, we knew we could beat them.”
“We only made 10 unforced errors the entire match,” she added.
“Set one we executed our game well, we served tough and forced them into out of system play where they couldn’t get (Eva Breckenkamp) or (Nora Wiley) the sets they needed to put the ball down,” said Humes. “Our pass was strong which made our offense unpredictable and their defense couldn’t get set in a great position.”
“Set two, it was the opposite,” she continued. “They passed well and their offense took off. Our ball control struggled, and we found it hard to put the ball away.”
“Set three we jumped out to a great start,” said Humes. “We scrapped and dug several of their hits (that I feel QND was used to always being a kill) and we got them panicking a bit.”
“When we went up 12-7, we slowed down our game, and QND showed some great grit and determination and went on a run. They actually had match point (14-12),” she said. “But we responded in earnest, and two Jordan Hines kills back to back gave us match point at 15-14.”
“When QND made that match point hitting error, it seemed like the entire gym erupted in cheers, from the players and the fans,” Humes noted. “That was the first time this season where when we played an opponent that was equal or better than us, that in that ultimate third set, we pushed through and won.”
“It was also our 20th win of the season, which had been our goal at the start of the week—to have 20 wins before going into regionals.”
“Going 2-2 on the weekend is something to be very proud of,” said Humes. “We weren’t concerned with our losses, one being to the top team in Class 3A Breese Mater Dei, and the other a close fight against Class 3A Lincoln. We knew if we competed well, no matter the outcome, we were ready for regionals.”
“I said at the beginning of the season, it doesn’t matter how well you’re playing in August, it matters how well you’re playing in October, right before the postseason,” Humes concluded. “And right now, we’re playing our best volleyball.”
For their efforts, senior Jordan Hines and freshman Jersee Mills were selected to the all-tournament team.
Individual stats from the tournament included the following: Hines – 22 kills, nine blocks and 45 digs Mills – 15 kills, three service aces, 11 blocks and 28 digs Cadence Hotz – 18 kills and 12 blocks Dakota Thorman – seven kills and 12 blocks Addy Fox – seven kills Emily Westerhold – four service aces and 46 digs Jordyn Shoopman – three service aces and 16 digs Sophie Wilson – 69 set assists, 10 kills and 27 digs The Bombers play host to an Illinois High School Association Class 2A Regional that started Monday with No. 7 sub-sectional seed West Hancock (12-17) facing No. 10 seed Beardstown (6-26).
On Tuesday at 6 p.m., No. 2 seed Pleasant Plains (22-12) faces the West Hancock/ Beardstown winner.
The second semifinal will have No. 3 seed Macomb (20-14) playing No. 6 seed Pittsfield (22-12).
The semifinal winners will play for the regional title Thursday at 6 p.m.
The regional champion will advance to sectional play at Beardstown.
