Mount Pulaski Lady Toppers advance to state championship

By Greg Taylor

[November 14, 2009]  Friday the 13th typically reminds us of horror movies and so-called bad luck.  Friday, Nov. 13, of 2009, however, brought smiles and joy for all as the Mount Pulaski Lady Toppers won their Class 1A volleyball semifinal match and the Illinois Fighting Illini destroyed SIU-E in their season opener. As I type on press row of the real Assembly Hall, I'm smiling ear to ear at what has transpired on this day. 

MPHS wins in three

Let's start with the Donna Dulle-led Lady Toppers. As the Taylor family (minus momma) made our way into our seats at spacious Redbird arena and began to thumb through the official state tournament program, my eighth-grade daughter, Jordan, remarked, "Dad, Mount Pulaski sure has a lot of losses, and most of the other teams only have two or three." In fact, Friday's opponent, Payson Seymour High School from the Quincy area, entered the match with just two defeats on the year compared with 11 for MPHS. Using the win-loss logic only, one thinks a beat-down might be in order. If this logic were leaned upon, one would be dead wrong. 

After a tough game one loss, the Lady Toppers rallied for strong game two and three wins and won the match 19-25, 25-17, 25-20 to move on to the state championship game on Saturday morning against Lanark Eastland -- who defeated Toledo Cumberland in game two. Several items of note much be shared: 

1. MPHS was paced by some excellent upper-class leadership from the likes of senior libero Lindsey Durchholz, senior Morgan Litterly, junior outside hitter Haley Bowles and junior middle hitter Sammy Nichols. This quartet of leaders were in the house two years ago when MPHS won it all, and Nichols' 10 kills, Litterly's six kills, Durchholz's 13 digs and Bowles' seven kills and six digs paced the ladies in purple (actually, they wore black). 

2. What can we say about the trio of freshmen who made the huge leap from junior high volleyball to state tournament action? Jessica Awe, Rachel Durchholz and Breanna Howe overcame some game one nerves and played like juniors and seniors. Howe had 14 assists; Awe had six assists, five digs and two huge game three aces; and Rachel Durchholz played strong throughout the match. 

3. MPHS receives some good role play from seniors Ellen Olson and Kylie Wyss and sophomore Sam Fanning.  The balance of the Toppers is really impressive and I believe sets Mount Pulaski apart from many other good teams. Only four seniors will depart this year, and the Toppers look poised to continue to create nightmares for other area high school volleyball teams. 
   

Finally -- I cannot say enough about head coach Dulle and her staff of Charissa Howe and Brook Eaton. Having a daughter participate in the junior high program at Mount Pulaski has allowed this reporter an up-close look at a successful program in action, and the bottom line is there is no substitute for hard work, dedication and preparation. I'm pretty sure many in central Illinois and even in the Mount Pulaski school district have no idea what a blessing they have in coach Dulle and her staff, so let me take this chance to say what should be echoed throughout our community: I am thankful for the many, many hours spent bringing excellence to the volleyball program at Mount Pulaski. Coach, you are the best and your close to 900 wins are no accident! Thanks for all you do! 

[By GREG TAYLOR]