IHSA Volleyball- The Road to Normal: Lady Falcons Eliminated in 1A
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) promotes girls volleyball-and its road to state-as one exciting and unpredicatable ride.
Wednesday's play-in game at the Trico Class 1A Regional proved that point. And then some.
Elverado, despite winning three regular season matches against Black Diamond Conference rival Zeigler-Royalton, needed a huge comeback to escape its three-game match with the Lady Tornadoes.
Final scores were 23-25, 25-21 and 25-17 as Elverado advanced into the semifinal round.
The Lady Falcons, playing top-seeded Steeleville barely 15 minutes after the emotional victory over Z-R, lost 16-25 and 9-25 to end the season with a 7-14 record.
"We just ran out of steam," Elverado coach Donette Wheatley admitted. "Its tough to play a team of Steeleville's caliber after playing a tough match right before. Going three games against Z-R really took a lot out of us."
Elverado saw a late six point lead slip away in the opening game with Z-R.
A kill by Arika Mace put Elverado up 22-16 before Z-R caught fire and ripped off six straight points. Elverado went back in front 23-21, only to see Vanessa McGill throw down four consecutive kills to win the game for Z-R.
The Lady Tornadoes ripped off the first seven points of game #2 and appeared to be on the way to a decisive win with an 18-10 edge. Elverado battled back, eventually tying the score at 19-19 on a sideout.
Following three more lead changes, the Lady Falcons took control for good with four serving points from Tiffany Yearian. 16 of the final 18 points were scored by Elverado, six on mistakes by Z-R.
"We did a great job of battling back after losing that first game, " Wheatley said. "We kept our composure."
Elverado trailed for most of the final game, spotting the Lady Tornadoes an early 5-0 lead. With Allie Griest serving, Elverado finally went ahead at 15-14 and would score 10 of the final 13 points to take the match. A dink by Kelsey Tuthill accounted for the final tally, ending the Z-R season.
Griest finished with 14 points and two aces. Yearian added 10 points, four kills and 14 digs. Tuthill's efforts included four asists, five kills and 11 digs.
Steeleville gradually pulled away in the first game of the semifinal match and made quick work of the Lady Falcons in the game two.
"Steeleville is just a very good team," Wheatley said. "These girls had a very good season and I am very proud of them."
WEDNESDAY's TOTALS
Kelsey Tuthill-19-21 serving, 12 points, 3 aces, 6 assists, 16-18 hitting, 7 kills, 18 digs.
Allie Griest-23-24 serving, 15 points, 2 aces, 6-8 hitting, 14 digs.
Tiffany Yearian-18-18 serving, 11 points, 1 ace, 2 blocks, 52-58 hitting, 7 kills, 17 digs.
Arika Mace-15-15 serving, 9 points, 3 aces, 7 assists, 10-13 hitting, 5 digs.
Hillary Dinkins-8-10 serving, 4 points, 1 ace, 6-11 hitting, 2 kills, 12 digs.
Adrienne Hardwig-9-10 serving, 6 points, 21-24 hitting, 1 dig.
Chelsea Cochran-17 digs.