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Wednesday, Oct. 16

Jacksonville dismantles Lady Railers

By Rick Hobler

[OCT. 16, 2002]  Some nights nothing goes right. Last night was one of those nights for the Lincoln Lady Railers varsity squad. The Crimsons of Jacksonville High School rolled into town and proceeded to steamroll the home team’s homecoming. And it wasn’t pretty. The final scores read 9-15 and 10-15, but, unfortunately, it wasn’t as close as the scores look.

In game one the Railers found themselves down 0-11 due, in part, to poor serving. A late attempt to recover was too little, too late. If my count is accurate, the Railers served six balls into the net and one ball long, which, of course, adds up to too many missed opportunities to score. Given seven free opportunities to turn a side-out into a point, Jacksonville had no problem burying the Railers in a deep, self-dug hole.

But this time the Railers couldn’t dig themselves out, no matter how hard they hustled and tried. Jacksonville’s Keita Davis dominated the net, blocking just about ever ball that came near her all night and killing most every set when she was on offense. The only time the Railers seemed able to score was when they tipped the ball into an empty space. But those several nice tips could muster only nine and no more.

In game two, the Railers played better but not well enough to win. The game seesawed back and forth for a few points, and then the Railers got stuck. With the score at just 3-6, after a double kill by Samantha Conrady, the Railers failed to get their blockers in place on the very next service. Side-out to the Crimsons. Jacksonville then went on a five-point service run, and the match was going south fast. Christina Xamis managed to fire up four successive serves, including one ace, to help get the Lady Railers to 7-11. Jacksonville got its own three-point run soon after, and the score stood at 8-14. Brooklyn Robbins served up one last gasp of hope with a two-point run, thanks to some nice blocking by Michelle McFadden and Megan Hoffert. Hope ran out as Jacksonville killed its next serve attempt and the agony ended. The score was 10-15 in favor of the Crimsons.

The Lady Railers huddled for a long time after the match and then left the floor without comment, slowly walking behind coach Howe. I didn’t wait for a comment. None was needed. The game spoke for itself. I felt bad for a good team. It doesn’t feel good to get steamrolled. Now comes the test.

[to top of second column in this article]

After a sound beating by Normal Community last Thursday, an arduous weekend in Chicago and another sound beating last night, it will be interesting to see how the Lady Railers respond. Before last Thursday they were 19-2; as of last night they are 21-7. That’s a tough fall to take in six days.

But this is a fine group of young women, with excellent volleyball skills and excellent character. I’m hoping that they respond like it. Some teams with less character and skill might pack it in, start bickering amongst themselves, look to blame someone else or stop playing as a team. Not this team. My hope is that they chalk this last week up to a learning session — postseason preparation, if you will.

And, while I don’t believe in crystal balls, I see a strong finish for these ladies: a 6-1 conference record, a major overall winning record and a strong postseason. It will happen only with strong character, senior leadership and team unity. Let’s see it ladies. I know you can do it.

GO RAILERS!!

[Rick Hobler]

Area rankings

Here are the top area volleyball teams as determined by Pantagraph staff:

1. Normal Community; 2. Lincoln; 3. Normal West; 4. Metamora; 5. Washington; 6. Morton; 7. Mahomet-Seymour

1. Mount Pulaski; 2. Central Catholic; 3. Hartsburg-Emden; 4. University High; 5. CPCI; 6. Olympia; 7. Fisher; 8. Deer Creek-Mackinaw; 9. Flanagan; 10. Maroa-Forsyth

Lady Railer JV volleyball squad wins in three

By Rick Hobler

[OCT. 16, 2002]  The Lady Railer JV squad showed a never-say-die attitude as they defeated a tough Jacksonville squad 10-15, 15-13 and 17-15.

The Railers were at the point of extinction in both games two and three before roaring back to the victory. Coach Conrady’s squad was facing sure defeat in the third game of the match when they found themselves down 5-11. Refusing to accept the inevitable, the Railers never caved in and eventually pulled out a 17-15 victory in the game and the match.

Nice job ladies! Keep it up.

[Rick Hobler]

High school volleyball

[OCT. 16, 2002] 

At Stanford

Olympia def. University High 8-15, 15-10, 16-14.

Olympia:  Service points, Brianne Crawford 9. Kills, Kirsten Goebel 11. Blocks, Goebel 6. Assists, Jaime Ahlers 32.

Record:  Olympia 17-9 overall, 4-3 in conference.

Junior varsity:  University High def. Olympia 8-15, 15-7, 15-11.

Freshmen:  Olympia def. University High 15-4, 15-13.

At Mount Pulaski

Mount Pulaski def. Rochester 15-4, 15-1.

Mount Pulaski:  Service points, Alicia Rankin 9, Bethany Dulle 8. Kills, Laura Reeter 7. Blocks, Mary Olson 5. Assists, Mallory Clements 16.

Record:  Mount Pulaski 20-2 overall.

Junior varsity:  Mount Pulaski def. Rochester 15-0, 15-9.

High school golf

[OCT. 16, 2002] 

Class A sectionals

At Ironwood Golf Course - Par 72

2. Olympia 328 (top three teams advance to state)

Top five individuals:  5. (tie) Ryan Smith 77

Olympia:  Ryan Smith 77, Eric Wittmer 82, Tyler Thornton 83, Zach Kuhfuss 86, Dusty Hayes 89, Jeff Denny DQ.

High school swimming

[OCT. 16, 2002] 

At Normal

University High 144, Pekin 110, Lincoln 74.

Lincoln:

200-yard medley relay: 4. Lincoln; 5. Lincoln

200 freestyle: 4. Brie Ernest

200 IM: 4. Stephanie Couch

50 freestyle: 3. Dea Welsh; 5. Betsy Meyer

Diving: 1. Daryl Anne Barr, 163.4

100 butterfly: 5. Samantha Davison

100 freestyle: 5. Jessica Carey

500 freestyle: 4. Couch

200 freestyle relay: 5. Lincoln

100 backstroke: 5. Jamie Fuiten

100 breaststroke: 4. Barr; 5. Ally Ray

400 freestyle relay: 4. Lincoln

At Stanford

Olympia 125, Peoria Christian 35.

200-yard medley relay: Olympia (Emily Wittrig, Jessica Legner, Allyssa Ledwig, Allison Spence), 2:18.60

200 freestyle: Ashley Mahaffrey (O), 2:36.47

200 IM: Ledwig (O), 2:36.58

50 freestyle: Tracy Zimmerman (PC), 27.79

1 M diving: Sarah Albert (O), 1:44.30

100 freestyle: Jen Nafziger (O), 1:07.56

500 freestyle: Mahaffey (O), 7:04.55

200 freestyle relay: Olympia (Laci Smith, Nafziger, Mary Clark, Ledwig), 2:02.61

100 backstroke: Erin Canopy (O), 1:13.79

100 breaststroke: Ledwig (O), 1:17.87

400 freestyle relay: Olympia (Nafziger, Canopy, Albert, Wittrig), 4:46.87

Lincoln College runners compete in Kenosha, Wis.

[OCT. 16, 2002]  KENOSHA, Wis. — Lincoln College competed in the Carthage College Invitational here and was one of two junior college teams in the cross country meet.

Lincoln’s top finisher was Christien Taitt, a freshman, with a 12th-place finish in a time of 20:50. A total of 109 runners were in the competition, and Taitt was second among junior college runners.

Coach Erin Verbeck said, "Freshman Mary Daum ran well and placed 79th, while Betsy Scarpasi continued to show improvement after an early season injury."

The Lynx men were led by Mark Shannhan, who ran the course in a time of 32:20.   Jordan Gerarad finished in 33:03, followed by Justin Pogue at 34:59, Russ Holstine at 36:07, Jake Kennedy at 39.25, Ryan Skolansinski at 39.26 and Michael Lister at 41.26.

Lincoln College will compete in the Millikin Invitational Oct. 18 at the Hickory Point Golf Course in Forsyth.

[Bill Martinie, Lincoln College
sports information director]

LC men’s soccer team ends regular season in overtime

[OCT. 16, 2002]  Lincoln College and Morraine Valley Community College battled to a 3-3 men’s soccer game tie at Freesmeier Field in Lincoln Tuesday afternoon. Lincoln College completes its regular season with a 7-9-1 record and begins regional tournament play Saturday.

The two teams battled throughout, with each team enjoying a lead but unable to hold the advantage. Maceo Guy put the Lynx on the board 20 minutes into the game with an assist from Javier Castillo and Steve Cimbaljevich. Morraine Valley then tied the score, and the two teams were even at halftime.

The visitors scored four minutes into the second half to take the lead, only to have Lincoln College score the next two goals. John Lusicic scored on an assist by Piotr Chrobak with 20 minutes remaining to even the score, and then Chrobak put the Lynx ahead with 17 minutes left off an assist by Cimbaljevich. With seven minutes remaining, Morraine Valley knotted the score and sent the game to overtime. Neither team was able to score in the extra period.

[to top of second column in this article]

Lincoln College had 24 shots on goal to only seven for Morraine Valley. Justin Cronin was in the net the second half and recorded one save, after Fernando Delgado played in the net the first half and recorded three saves.

"Maceo (Guy) played an outstanding game, and John (Lusicic) was phenomenal throughout," said coach Mark Howard. "We also got standout performances from Piotr (Chrobak) and Rene (Aguilar). They pretty much carried us throughout the game."

[Bill Martinie, Lincoln College
sports information director]

Articles from the past week

[OCT. 14, 2002]  You’re probably thinking that I mean the upcoming basketball season is almost here. BUT, what I’m really talking about is the thrilling Illini FOOTBALL victory over Purdue in overtime. Unfortunately, this reporter never got to see one play from scrimmage.

[Click here for Illini pics]

My son and I got up early to get our chores done and were just about ready to meet up with the LDN sports crew when our house decided to take a part in the hit movie "Money Pit." That’s right, when I drained the tub from my son’s bath, it decided, instead of going down the drain, to go through the floor above the dining room ceiling and then through that floor down into the basement. My son looked at me as if to say, "It’s sure a good thing Mom is at a retreat out at camp, isn’t it, Dada!" Needless to say, thanks to Vernon Heidbreder, Payne and I had to spend only part of the day cleaning up the mess; however, it was enough to miss an exciting Illini victory!

•  This week’s first game ball goes to my wife, Melinda. She has put up with this reporter for 19 years, and if you count the courting, that’s 22 years. She deserves a trophy, a medal and anything good that can come her way. If I’ve ever accomplished anything, it is only because of her. She is a great wife and an outstanding mother! Thank you, honey, you are the best, and Happy Anniversary!

•  Vern Heidbreder for keeping our house from floating away in the bath water!

•  LCHS football team, especially the defense! What a great effort by this football team! My son and I listened to the game, and Bobby Verderber and Ken Sweitzer echoed what we were thinking: What a great job by our kids! Especially when you consider how many injuries this team has suffered and how shaky their confidence must be. I’d STILL like to see one or two more wins out of this team.

•  Dustin Ward and Greg Lewis, who paired on a 7-yard TD pass to beat those pesky Purdue Boilmakers 38-31 in OT Saturday.

Other game balls to…

•  Freshman Travis Williams for returning the opening kickoff for a TD.

•  Antoineo Harris for racking up 195 yards and two TDs.

•  Brandon Lloyd for his 10 receptions, 161 yards and two TDs.

•  ISU’s Quincy Washington, who had his fourth 100-yard rushing game — but it wasn’t enough, as the Redbirds lost a nail-biter 22-17 over at Western Illinois. ISU fell to 3-3 and 1-1, while WIU ups their mark to 5-1 and 2-1.

Updates

I got to peak in on the Illini hoopsters the other day, and let me just say that I am impressed with what I saw. I am by no means an expert on college basketball, but I like how hard these kids work and I love the chemistry — something YOU have NOT read in this column the last few years. While it will take them awhile to learn to play together, by the end of the year I think this team will REALLY progress. No matter what happens they will be a lot of fun to watch.

When I was writing this report the St. Louis Cardinals were STILL staring at a 2-1 deficit. I had been waiting for the Cards’ house to collapse all season… I just hoped it wouldn’t happen now… BUT however it ends, I will ALWAYS be proud of this team and what they accomplished!

The LCC and LCHS volleyball teams hit some nasty spots in the road but hope to get right back on track this week.

[to top of second column in this article]

"FANdamonium"

…was wild last week LIVE from Champaign. The studio audience started off with about three people but ended up with about 33. We hope to do another one over there next time with LIVE TV!!!

Stay tuned this week on the LDN webcast, the CITV Channel 5 and FIX 96.3 radio simulcast, as we host some or all of the following: LCHS golfers, soccer players and swimmers… not to mention Greg Taylor sporting his cheesehead gear (I don’t know IF I can stomach that or not), and finally some victory talk on the Illini report — should be wild. We also hope to give away some pizzas and other stuff. So we hope you will be our guests from 6 to 7 p.m. EVERY Monday night!

Miami came back to nip Florida State by one point. BUT, why didn’t FSU go for two when they scored their last TD? If you’re up by 13, there has to be plenty of time for the other team to kick TWO field goals and score a TD. Even IF you don’t convert, what’s the difference of being down by one or two points IF your opponents score two TDs like Miami did? I also did not think much of FSU’s clock management in the final couple of minutes. Can you imagine how far away Big Ten football is from teams like FSU and Miami? You could measure the distance in light years!

Does basketball EVER get here fast enough?

How ’bout those Anaheim Angels? As I write this they are celebrating their first-ever trip to the World Series! They have been so exciting down the stretch and have a scary lineup for either the Giants or the Cards to have to face!

NHL hockey is under way, and neither the Blues nor the Blackhawks seemed to get off to a very good start.

Have a GREAT week, everyone. Hope to see you soon!

[Jeff Mayfield]

• ‘Monday Night Football’: A total blast... other than the score, Oct. 8
• I was wrong, Oct. 7
• More...

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