VOLLEYBALL: PCHS fourth at Benton Tournament
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ After leaving last weekend's Marissa Labor Day Tournament without a victory, the Pinckneyville Lady Panthers have responded with five wins in six tries, four coming this past weekend to earn first place in the Silver division in the Benton Volleyball Tournament at Rich Herrin Gymnasium.
Lady Panthers Maddy Keith and Taylor Cicardi were named to the all-tournament team, as Pinckneyville came away fourth overall at the event, with their only loss coming to Carlyle, the second place finisher. The host Benton Rangerettes came away with the championship.
In their first matchup, Pinckneyville motored past Sesser-Valier 21-5 and 21-11. Haley Simpson's 7 kills led the way.
Hamilton County was the next victim for the Lady Panthers, falling 21-12 and 21-8 as Keith and Cicardi started to heat up with 7 kills a piece. Sara Malanowski added 9 assists, and Keith also had 6 blocks.
Carlyle proved to be too much, posting a 21-15, 21-8 victory over the Lady Panthers, but Pinckneyville returned for wins over Johnston City (25-19, 28-26) and Fairfield (18-25, 26-24, 15-12) later in the tournament.
Keith had a combined 28 kills in the final two matchups (16, 12), and Malanowski continued to set up Keith, Cicardi and others with 9 assists against both J-C and Fairfield.
Pinckneyville returns to action on Tuesday night as they host Anna-Jonesboro at Thomas Gymnasium (7:30 p.m.).