NORMAL — Okawville finished its volleyball season with a fourth-place trophy after falling to Illini Bluffs in the IHSA Class 1A third-place game Saturday, Nov. 14, at CEFCU Arena.
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Illini Bluffs won 28-26 and 25-23.
The Lady Rockets battled throughout the match but ultimately came up short against an Illini Bluffs team that rallied in a tightly contested opening set before securing the victory.
Jaycie Buss led Okawville with 11 kills, seven digs and a service ace. Kenley Hackstadt added 19 assists as the Lady Rockets closed their season with a 26-13 record.
Illini Bluffs was led by Addi Woertz, who recorded 18 kills. Emerson Eeten contributed 12 kills, while Maddy Stephens finished with 29 assists.
The opening set featured plenty of back-and-forth action, with both teams committing early mistakes while looking to establish their offensive rhythm.
After an attack error by Josephine Schmersahl, Buss put Okawville on the board with a kill off a Stephens assist. Hackstadt followed with a service ace, giving the Lady Rockets an early spark.
Eeten answered with an ace for Illini Bluffs, and Woertz added a kill off a Stephens assist. Buss responded with another kill, this time assisted by Hackstadt.
Okawville began building momentum as Buss continued finding success at the net. Illini Bluffs struggled with several attack errors, allowing the Lady Rockets to establish an 8-4 advantage.
However, Illini Bluffs gradually worked its way back into the set. Woertz continued producing kills, while Stephens distributed the ball effectively and Eeten added important offensive contributions.
The teams traded points throughout the middle portion of the set, with Buss leading Okawville's attack and Woertz and Eeten answering for Illini Bluffs.
As the score tightened, neither team could establish a comfortable advantage. Both sides capitalized on their opponent's mistakes, setting up a tense finish.
With the score tied at 22-22, the teams continued exchanging points. Okawville's defense came up with a block assist from Trista Behrman and Taylor Statler, but Illini Bluffs continued applying pressure offensively.
Eeten delivered another kill before an attack error by Stephens gave Okawville an opportunity. A Stephens setting error helped the Lady Rockets reach set point with a 24-22 advantage.
Illini Bluffs refused to let the set slip away.
The teams continued trading points, and Woertz delivered another kill to even the score at 26-26.
O'Connor then came through with a service ace, giving Illini Bluffs a 27-26 lead and match point.
Following an Okawville timeout, Illini Bluffs secured the decisive point with a block involving Hicks and Woertz, ending the set and the Lady Rockets' hopes of claiming third place.
Okawville continued battling in the second set, but Illini Bluffs used a strong offensive performance down the stretch to secure a 25-23 victory and finish off the match.
The Lady Rockets got on the scoreboard early with a kill from Trista Behrman off a Kenley Hackstadt assist. However, Illini Bluffs answered with a kill from Emerson Eeten, followed by several Okawville attack errors that helped the opponent build an early advantage.
Eeten added a service ace, while Addi Woertz continued finding success at the net. Okawville responded with kills from Jaycie Buss and Behrman, but Illini Bluffs maintained pressure offensively.
Hackstadt continued distributing the ball, setting up Buss for multiple kills. Kaylee Wolf also contributed with kills, helping Okawville stay within striking distance.
As the set progressed, both teams traded points. Woertz and Eeten continued leading the Illini Bluffs attack, while Buss provided much of the offensive production for Okawville.
With Illini Bluffs holding a 21-18 advantage, Okawville began making its move. Wolf recorded a kill, Buss delivered a service ace, and Kylie Klingenberg added a kill off a Hackstadt assist to tie the set at 21-21.
Illini Bluffs called a timeout, but the teams continued exchanging points.
Woertz answered with a kill to give Illini Bluffs the lead before a service error tied the score at 22-22. Okawville then moved ahead 23-22 after Behrman and Hackstadt combined for a block assist following an Illini Bluffs attack error.
However, Illini Bluffs responded when Woertz delivered another kill to even the score at 23-23.
Eeten followed with a kill to give Illini Bluffs match point at 24-23.
Following an Okawville timeout, Eeten delivered the final kill off a Maddy Stephens assist, securing a 25-23 second-set victory and completing the straight-set win.
