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Wednesday, Oct. 2

Carroll Catholic boys on their way
to state baseball competition

By Jeff Mayfield

[OCT. 2, 2002]  How ’bout that Carroll Catholic junior high boys baseball team? They took out a pretty tough CEL team 5-0 to win the sectional title and are now on their way to state to take on Princeville at 12:15 Friday.

The boys are now 16-0 going into the round of eight, and they’ve added to their case the county, conference and regional trophies to sit next to the sectional plaque!

Members of the team include Pat Washam, Josh Baker, Justin Ritchhart, Matt Schick, Royce Duncan, Cody Aughton, Alex DeLesontos, Zac Eimer, Cody Tucker, Andrew Schonauer, Andy Koester, Sheldon Tibbs, Michael Fleshman, Louie Schonauer and Kyle Young.

Carroll Catholic is coached by John Kocka, who is assisted by Mark Aughton.

CONGRATULATIONS, fellas!  I hope you all will agree to join Greg and me in the TV studio when you come back with your state trophy!

[Jeff Mayfield]

By Rick L. Hobler

[OCT. 2, 2002]  The race for the Central State Eight volleyball title has just begun. Two matches in, the Lady Railers are 2-0.

With five matches left, here’s how it looks — it’s not going to be easy. Last night was proof of that.

The Railers faced an excellent Chatham-Glenwood squad (14-4-1) who did everything they could to win last night — except win. In the process they took the Railers to the brink of defeat in both games. In the process the Railers stuck it out together, especially the seniors. In the process, the Railers looked to the core of their senior leadership — the heart of Kari McFadden. How’s this for heart: 15 service points; four aces, including the beautiful, no-one-even-touched-it, game-winning jump serve in Game 1; 13 digs; four blocks. Heart.

The Railer seniors were everywhere in the victory. Christina Xamis refused to let the ball touch the floor anywhere near her. Christina had 15 digs and knocked down two aces at one of the crucial points of Game 1 to keep the Railers alive. Missy Aper was constantly encouraging her teammates on the floor not to give in or give up. Missy had five crucial service points of her own. Missy was also a critical part of several long volleys when both teams refused to quit until Missy called an end to it all with a killer hit at the net. Heart times two.

Not to be left out of this team effort, the Railer underclassmen responded with their own heart-pounding play. Brooklyn Robbins was once again everywhere a set needed to be made. But her true joy seemed to come when she stuffed four Titan spike attempts back into their side of the floor with her blocks. Samantha Conrady and Michelle McFadden claimed the net throughout the match and especially on several crucial plays at the end of Game 2, each helping to seal the Railer victory.

In Game 1 the Railers put their hearts to the test. After pulling out to a 4-3 lead they soon found themselves down 5-9, then 8-11, then 11-13. At 11-13 the Railers called a timeout. Once again the Railers responded to the huddle discussion. LCHS got a break on the next Titan serve, when it was served into the net for a side-out. Rotating to the service line — Kari McFadden. Four serves, two aces. Railers win.

[to top of second column in this article]

As Game 2 of the match began, it initially appeared that Chatham’s desire had been deflated by the come-from-behind Railer victory in Game 1. Things aren’t always as they appear. The Titans, who initially were down 0-3, fought their way back to a 4-4 tie. Chatham did a respectable job blocking Railer kill attempts until the Railers wised up and started doing quick sets to avoid the blocks. The game seesawed back and forth from there until it looked like a Game 3 was inevitable, when the Railers went down 14-13. Heart check time.

The two teams then exchanged five grueling side-outs, each unable to put the other away. After the Railers forced the fifth side-out I sensed the end was near. Rotating to the service line — you guessed it — Kari McFadden. This time though it wasn’t Kari’s dominating jump serve that brought the victory home (although the serves were still great); it was teammate and sister Michelle McFadden who finished off the Titans. On two successive quick sets from Brooklyn Robbins, Michelle put the ball hard where the Titans weren’t and didn’t want to be. Game and match to the Railers.

The Titans obviously wanted to win badly. The Lady Railers obviously wanted it more. In matches like this, between two good teams, that is what it comes down to most times — who wants it more. In the end the scorebook read 15-13, 17-15 Lady Railers.

The Railers now stand 17-2 overall and 2-0 in the CS8. Two down, five to go. The Railers continue their pursuit of the CS8 title when they travel to Sacred Heart-Griffin on Thursday.

It’s not going to be easy. No one said it would be. You know that they’re not going to give it to you without a fight. Take your heart with you. GO RAILERS!

[Rick L. Hobler]

High school volleyball

[OCT. 2, 2002] 

At Mount Pulaski

Mount Pulaski def. AC Central 15-9, 15-6

Mount Pulaski:  Service points, Mary Olson 11; Kills, Laura Reeter, Bethany Dulle 8; Blocks, Stephanie Jason, M. Olson 2; Assists, Mallory Clements 25.

Junior Varsity:  Mount Pulaski def. AC Central 15-0, 15-5

At Mason City

Riverton def. Illini Central 15-7, 15-9

Illini Central:  Service points, Kelsey Phelps 5, Katie Frank 4; Kills, Audrey Cave 6, Jeni McGlaughlin 5; Assists, Andrea Kastner 9.

Junior Varsity:  Riverton def. Illini Central 15-3, 15-9

At Lincoln

Junior Varsity:  Chatham def. Lincoln 15-12, 15-5

LC vs. Springfield College in men’s soccer

[OCT. 2, 2002]  SPRINGFIELD — Lincoln College failed to score as they were defeated by Springfield College, 3-0, in men’s soccer here Tuesday afternoon. The Lynx fall to 6-5 for the season.

"We never really threatened to score," said coach Mark Howard. "We were extremely flat, and we have played harder in practice the last three days. We need to find a way to get out of this funk for the second half of the season."

[Bill Martinie, Lincoln College
sports information director]

Volleyball ‘Team Day’ set for Oct. 6

[OCT. 2, 2002]  NORMAL — Illinois State athletics and Redbird volleyball are inviting all local volleyball teams and coaches to come to Redbird Arena on Oct. 6 and watch the ’Birds continue their quest for a Missouri Valley Conference championship. The game is free of cost for all teams that sign up before Oct. 1.

Starting at 2 p.m. the Redbirds will battle the Sycamores of Indiana State. After the game the local teams in attendance are invited down to the floor for a chance to meet, get autographs and take pictures with players and coaches.

For more information and access to a "Team Day" ordering form, please call the Illinois State Athletics Marketing Department at (309) 438-3399.

[ISU news release]

‘The Denver Johnson Show’ moves to 7 p.m. this week

[OCT. 2, 2002]  NORMAL — This Thursday, Oct. 3, "The Denver Johnson Show," a live, weekly WJBC broadcast from Schooners with Illinois State head football coach Denver Johnson, will air at 7 p.m. due to the St. Louis Cardinals versus Arizona Diamondbacks playoff game. The show, which regularly airs at 6 p.m., will resume at that time next week.

If the baseball game goes past the seven o’clock hour, "The Denver Johnson Show" will run on a tape-delay status on WJBC at the end of the game. WJBC will not cut out of the St. Louis Cardinals broadcast.

[ISU news release]

Articles from the past week

[SEPT. 30, 2002]  ...Or was that a train? Or maybe even a steamroller? Wow! What a weekend. Had it not been for the Cardinals, the whole weekend might have been a wash. Good thing we had great weather — I was at least able to get some of my storm windows on. And by the way, I recorded no fumbles and no interceptions on my way to victory. I also attacked them and did not play it conservatively every step of the way. I think you fans that I talked to at the gas station, the doughnut shop and the eatery all KNOW what we’re talking about here, especially you Bears fans.

The Railers lost a game at Springfield that I really hoped they would win. I felt it might set the tone for the rest of the year and help them eke out another win or two. Now their backs are against the wall, and they’ll have to take care of business all by themselves. I know they can do it, I’m just not sure that THEY know they can do it!

Are you STILL mad that no one wanted to give the Illini any respect before the season started? Maybe those people knew more about this team than they were letting on? The coaching staff STILL maintains that the losses are solely a matter of execution — that guys are trying to do too much and are getting out of position. Oh, if it was just that easy. I’d wager to say that virtually any LDN reader could be 1-4 right now as coach of this unit. It is very discouraging and very difficult and painful to watch.

Now I know what my dad meant when he told me how difficult it would be to be a fan in the Midwest. On the coast we’re used to speedy, quick, agile athletes at all the quality positions… Oh well, I digress.

The sad thing is that this season held so much promise, and now it has gone up in smoke. This REALLY tests the resolve of the fans. Many fans don’t want to be tested, as attested by the throngs who had seen enough and left at HALFTIME on Saturday. While I preach loyalty everywhere I go, I can’t really blame them after what we’ve been forced to endure so far this year.

A couple of weeks ago my son tried to run out on the field, and it’s a good thing I stopped him; he might have hurt someone — something our missed tackles and sloppy play are not likely to produce.

I could say more, but I won’t. Well, except for this: This was not a very good Michigan team that we let have their way with us on our home field, and that is sad and disgusting.

…to Eastern Illinois 45-10 as Dwayne Smith tallied the only points via the TD route for the Redbirds. EIU started quickly, taking an early 17-0 lead, and the Birds could never get back into the game. Stephen Carroll did add a field goal to the cause. Both teams evened their records at 2-2.

…this time, in overtime. Lots more conservative play calling seems to haunt the Bears at times. The injuries on defense seem to be taking their toll on Chicago as well. Hopefully they can repair the ship before the cheeseheads come to town.

If you like outstanding women’s sports, you should be taking in LC and LCC volleyball matches. These two met twice more this past weekend in a tournament in the beautiful new Laughlin Center. In the first match, LC hung tough, but LCC put them away in three. However, it was a different story in the championship round. LC won two of the first three games before LCC rallied back to hoist the championship trophy.

[to top of second column in this article]

Credit LC for some gritty play and their fans for outstanding support. I REALLY commend their fans for encouraging their team as they did. LCC’s fans were pretty awesome as well, and when a whole gym has an electricity like this tourney had, that’s what college sports should be about!

Congratulations to Breanne Prunty, Christen O’Malley and MVP Ren Cox for making the all-tournament team. Congrats also to Beth Guy of the Lady Lynx for also securing a spot on the all-star team!

Greg Taylor and I want to continue to thank you for making the Monday night sports showcase so fun to do. We love talking sports, and your calls, e-mails, etc. make it all worthwhile. Tonight at 6 p.m. set your Web browser to www.lincolndailynews.com and click on the live link in "Hear it here!" to transport you to our live show. You can also tune your TV dial to CITV Channel 5 or your radio dial to FIX-FM 96.3.

We’ll REALLY need your help tonight as we cry into Greg’s Kool-Aid! Maybe you know how some of these teams that we support can get themselves right.

Tonight’s special guests include Lincoln College soccer coach Mark Howard along with some of his players. I believe the Lynx are 6-4 and have a win over a top 10 school, Lewis and Clark. You soccer fans will NOT want to miss coach Howard’s comments about how exciting his team is and what home games you might be able to attend in the next few weeks. We also hope to entertain members of LCHS coach Jan Dickerson’s tennis team.

Over the next few weeks we hope to shine the spotlight on as many prep, collegiate and pro sports as we are humanly able to. We hope to have former WAND 17 sports anchor Ron Rector do a show or two with us. We also hope to have Decatur Herald-Review sports editor Mark Tupper on board for a show. We’ve asked LCHS golfers and swimmers to join us soon as well, and we plan to get soccer and any other athletes showcased as well. IF you play on a team or would like to have a shot at being on the show, send us an e-mail and we’ll try to hook you up.

Also, if you are a junior high or high school student and you are interested in maybe becoming a sports journalist, send us an e-mail. We hope to select one or two students to maybe be a guest host in the studio with us. Hope to hear from you soon.

Have a great week, everybody, and let’s hope our teams get off the snied! And good luck, Cardinals, in the desert!

[Jeff Mayfield]

• Cardinals clinch Central Division title, Sept. 23
• Quick mutterings, Sept. 16
• More...

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