VOLLEYBALL: Du Quoin wins exciting home opener

DU QUOIN, IL - The opening home match for DuQuoin High School Varsity Volleyball was very exciting. Perhaps the second game of the match against West Frankfort gave the new DHS head coach Jesica Green some heart palpitations as the Indians took the game 29-27.

DuQuoin won the first game rather easily at 25-15, but the Redbirds came roaring back in the second game. The score in that second game was tied at 24, 25, 26, and 27 before the Indians finally won it. DuQuoin is now 2-4 on the very young season.

Rebekah Maddox led in kills with 9 followed by Kate Toler with 8 and Cassidy Rice with 4. Hailey Stewart led in assists with 13 followed by Jessi Martin with 11. Alexis Kohrs led in digs with 13, and Kate Toler had 12. Toler led the team in points scored on serve with 15 points and 5 aces.

Members of the Varsity Squad are Alaina Caldwell, Alexis Kohrs, Kate Toler, Hope Fenton, Annie Bastien, Jessica Martin, Chandra Gilliam, Cassidy Rice, Bailie Caldwell, Lela Spiller, Rebekah Maddox, Hailey Stewart, and Jordyn Bullar.

Coach Green commented: "We got the win, but it wasn't pretty. This past weekend and tonight showed us what we need to work on."

The Jr. Varsity Team, coached by Kasi Camden, won their match 2-0. Game scores were 25-12 and 25-20. The JV are 1-0 on the season.

Members of the JV Team are: Annie Bastien, Lela Spiller, Alaina Caldwell, Hope Fenton, Bailie Caldwell, Sydney Valier, Afton Robinson, Sydney Lewis, Amanda Atteberry, Jordyn Bullar, Taylor Gates, and Chandra Gilliam.

The Freshmen Team lost their match to West Frankfort 2-0. The Team is made up of Taylor Bizaillion, Sydney Valier, Sydney Lewis, Allyson Morgan, Kristyna Queen, Carlie Daffron, Abigail Vancil, Jordyn Bullar, Afton Robinson, and Taylor Gates. Their record is 0-1.

The Varsity Volleyball Team is participating in a tournament at Marissa the rest of the week. Wednesday has DHS playing Sparta at 4:30 and Melhville at 6:30. The tournament continues through Saturday.