Junior High Volleyball: Local teams ousted from SIJHSAA State

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Du Quoin Middle School's bid for an unprecedented third consecutive Southern Illinois Junior High School Athletic Association (SIJHSAA) Class L State Volleyball championship ended Saturday.

The Lady Warriors, finishing a brilliant season with a 29-3 record, lost to eventual state winner and 2,400 student Triad Middle School of St. Jacob.

Scores were 28-26, 20-25 and 13-15.

"We had a very tough first round match against a strong Triad team," Lady Warriors coach Isaac Miller said. "We needed our best match to beat Triad. It was just a war. Our girls gave all they could and played with a lot of heart."

Kate Toler and Bailie Caldwell each had five kills to led DMS at the net.

Abby Myers added four. Hailey Stewart had seven assists with Chandra Gilliam (five) and Myers (four) close behind.

Toler (eight), Shelby Crews (six), Myers (five) and Caldwell (five) were digs leaders as DMS played stout defense against the much-taller Triad squad.

Toler had seven points and two aces. Myers added six points with Gilliam and Stewart netting five apiece.

Stewart's three aces led a strong DMS serving effort. As a team, the Lady Warriors 50-of-55.

"These girls have a lot to be proud of," Miller reflected. "They are just a special group. I am so proud of what they accomplished. This is not how they wanted to finish, but I am so proud of them."

Massac County, coached by Miller's dad (Paul) and younger brother (Zach), finished third Saturday. At the SIJHSAA Class M state in Nashville, Pinckneyville (Junior High School) was also ousted in the quarterfinals.

The Lady Junior Panthers lost to eventual champion Aviston (Central) 26-24 and 25-20.