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McMath, Keith sign with Blackburn

Posted February 19, 2017 10:00 pm

By Jim Beers Contributing Writer

Chester High School senior volleyball players Alyssa Keith and Alexis McMath have made the commitment to play volleyball next fall at Blackburn College in Carlinville.

The two Lady Yellow Jacket standouts signed their letters of intent on Feb. 17 at a ceremony held at Chester High School.

Alexis McMath was first to sign with her parents, Dennis and Lisa McMath, at her side. The trio was joined by Chad Koenegstein, Chester High School head volleyball coach and Adam Gibbs, CHS assistant coach.

Alyssa Keith signed her agreement with her parents, Tommy and Aimee Klausing, by her side. Koenegstein and Gibbs were also there to support her and to join in on this very prestigious occasion.

"I am very proud of both of these girls," Koenegstein said. "They started two years ago in club volleyball and have worked very hard since then to make this all possible.

"They worked to earn their scholarships and helped to create a volleyball program at Chester High School."

Both Keith and McMath were instrumental in helping CHS volleyball to make history during the past two years.Last year, the Lady Yellow Jackets set a new record for wins in volleyball with 17 victories

The team surpassed that record with 28 wins last season.

"Our record this year was 28-3," Koenegstein said. "What more does anyone need to say? This team made Chester a volleyball town."

Two of Chester's losses were to a very good Columbia Eagles and both were in championship games of tournaments.

Chester first fell to the Lady Eagles in the season-opening Marissa-New Athens Labor Day Tournament and the other came at the end of the season in the championship game of the Freeburg Monster Mash.

In-between those events, the Lady Yellow Jackets swept the competition in the Trico Invitational Tournament and beat Sparta, Christopher, Sesser-Valier and Gibault to take their 28-2 record into the Class 1A Chester Regional.

CHS stumbled in the first round, falling to Red Bud in three sets, 15-25, 27-25, and 23-25. Both Keith and McMath were selected to the Black Diamond Conference's All-Conference team.

"I want to say 'thank you' to my parents and coaches for making this collegiate opportunity possible," Keith said. "I am very proud and it feels good to be continuing my volleyball career at the college level.

"It is especially meaningful to be able to play with Alexis since we have been playing together for such a long time."

"It is very exciting to be able to play volleyball at the next level next year and I really am grateful to my coaches and family for all of the support in helping to get me there," McMath said.

Blackburn is a private, protestant college which was founded in 1837. The college is located in Carlinville, which is about 45 minutes south of Springfield.

Blackburn offers student-athletes the opportunity to work and reduce the tuition fees accessed while they are playing sports.

The Beavers had a 2016 record of 1-27 with a home record of 0-10, an away record of 0-12 and a neutral record of 1-5 for a total of 28 games.

"McMath and Keith have helped set a precedent for the grade school volleyball players," Koenegstein said. "These two girls are trailblazers. They have helped build the Chester program with hard work and energy."

"When I went to see Blackburn I fell in love with it and the volleyball program," Keith said. "It seems to be a good fit for me.

"I plan to major in pre-nursing and double-major and get a B.A. in nursing eventually."

"I want to work with the law," McMath said. "I will begin by taking pre-law classes and I will eventually become a lawyer.

"I am excited to continue my volleyball career at Blackburn."

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