Mount Pulaski Volleyball finishes 4th in the Morgan Buerkett Memorial Tournament

[October 18, 2017] 

The Mount Pulaski Hilltoppers Volleyball Team took 4th place over the weekend at the Morgan Buerkett Memorial Tournament at the High School of Saint Thomas More in Champaign.

The Hilltoppers began the tournament 3-0 by defeating Trinity 25-15 and 25-23, then taking down Tri-County 25-20 and 25-23 and finally beating Warrensburg-Latham 22-25, 25-14 and 15-12. The Hilltoppers advanced to the Gold Bracket of the 16-team tournament and finished in fourth place after losing to Payson Seymour 25-15 and 25-11 and then being taken down in three sets by Mattoon, 21-25, 25-21 and 15-8.

Abigail Fitzpatrick is pictured with her coaches, Donna and Bethany Dulle. 

Junior Abigail Fitzpatrick of Mount Pulaski was named to the All Tournament Team of the 2017 tournament sponsored by Body N’ Sole.

The following is according to a press release explaining the tournament:

“All proceeds from the tournament will go to the Morgan Buerkett Memorial Scholarship fund.

Morgan Lee Buerkett was a friend to everyone who knew her, a leader of every sports team she joined, and a striking beauty sought out as a model. Most of all, she was a loving daughter and sister. At the High School of Saint Thomas More, she helped lead both the volleyball and track teams to the IHSA state finals. She was an exemplary student as well, achieving a place on the school’s honor roll.

Morgan was heavily recruited to play college volleyball and was about to begin her sophomore year as a talented middle blocker on the University of Chicago volleyball team. Morgan was studying journalism.

Morgan died on July 24, 2011, joined in death by her father, Jon and mother, Dana. She is survived by her sister Ashley Buerkett, and a other family members.

Morgan was charismatic, determined, cheerful, and an outstanding student with an outstanding sense of humor. Thank you for helping us honor Morgan and her family today.”

Mount Pulaski stats:

Abigail Fitzpatrick: 34 kills, 39 digs, 3 blocks, 4 aces Taylor Trimmer: 28 digs
Morgan May: 6 kills, 6 digs, 2 aces, 3 blocks
Madison Thomas: 4 digs, 4 aces, 5 blocks
Paige Stewart: 14 kills, 2 digs, 4 blocks
Skylar Hayes: 47 kills, 31 dig,s 2 aces, 4 blocks
Isabella Wade: 7 kills, 96 assists, 18 digs, 2 aces

[Teena Lowery with photos by Chrissy Fitzpatrick]