Chester-East Lincoln takes 4th place in 8th Grade Class 2A State Tournament 

[March 21, 2022]  The Chester-East Lincoln Panthers brought home some hardware Saturday night from the 2022 8th Grade Class 2A State Tournament in Auburn. 

After defeating Gardner 25-12 and 25-10 Friday night in the first round, the Panthers advanced to the final four on Saturday. 

Chester-East Lincoln lost Saturday morning in three sets to Albion. Albion won the first set 25-18. The Panthers took the second set 25-22. And then it was Albion with the third set win 25-20. 

The loss put the Panthers into the third place game with the team just down the road, the Mount Pulaski Honeybears.

Chester-East Lincoln had beaten Mount Pulaski twice in the regular season. Beating a team three times in a row is always difficult and the battle between these two teams was sure to be a good one. 

Saturday afternoon’s matchup between the two teams would take three sets. Chester-East Lincoln won the first set 25-18. Mount Pulaski would win the next two sets, 25-21 and 25-19. 

The Panthers finished the season by bringing home the fourth place trophy. 

Ashley Paulus, who is in her second year coaching the Panthers, was very pleased with her team’s growth throughout the season and their accomplishments at the state tournament. 

“My favorite part of this season was watching these girls grow into strong, confident volleyball players,” said Paulus. “When I started saying I really think we need to make it a goal to get to State because I know we can, I think they thought I was crazy. They just had never had that expectation or believed they could accomplish something so great. They started to finally believe in themselves and see the potential they had and worked hard to achieve that.”

Chester-East Lincoln also brought with them a lot of supportive fans, ranging from little kids to junior high kids to high schoolers and even older fans, who all cheered their hearts out for the Panthers. 

“The number of people that showed up in Auburn to support these girls was awesome,” said Paulus. “We had an amazing student section of CEL students along with quite a few CEL alumni and current LCHS students. I told the girls numerous times during the weekend to just stop and look around the gym and take in how many people love them and were there to support them. They were so appreciative of it all and I know they’ll never forget it.”

Paulus also mentioned the support that Mount Pulaski and Chester-East Lincoln offered one another.  

“One of the best parts of the weekend was getting to be in the same gym as Mt. Pulaski,” said Paulus. “They cheered for us and we cheered for them Friday night and Saturday morning and then we battled hard on the court in the 3rd and 4th place game. These girls are fierce competitors but know how important it is to show good sportsmanship and both schools did a wonderful job of that this weekend.”

And the phrase “A picture is worth a thousand words” really applies to the group photo of the Chester-East Lincoln and Mount Pulaski volleyball teams following the third and fourth place game.  

The 3rd and 4th place teams from Logan County at the IESA 8-2A State Tournament in Auburn ~ Mount Pulaski and Chester-East Lincoln. Photo courtesy of Kathy Wade.

While Paulus did not play in a state tournament herself, she did play volleyball at West Lincoln Broadwell under the coaching of Dawn Crawford, her assistant at CEL. Paulus still recognizes the pressures of coaching. 

“I would say that the emotions are just as high as a coach as they were when I was a player,” said Paulus. “It’s a different type of pressure, playing versus coaching, but when the hard work pays off on both ends it makes it all worth it. It’s so rewarding to know that the passion I gained from playing for so many years under amazing coaches, especially Dawn, is getting poured back into these girls.”

Congratulations, Panthers on your fourth place finish! 

Chester-East Lincoln finished the season with a 16-7 record. 

Stats provided by Coach Ashley Paulus 

CEL vs Gardner

25-12, 25-10

Kills - Arrington Mauhar, 5

Makia Hassebrock, 4

Assists - Lauren Tedrick, 11

Aces - Makia Hassebrock, 9

Lauren Tedrick, 5

Sophie Morgan, 5

Digs - Sophie Morgan, 8

Jada Bree, 5

CEL vs Albion 

18-25, 25-22, 20-25

Kills - Makia Hassebrock, 7

Jada Bree, 4

Assists - Lauren Tedrick, 14

Aces - Makia Hassebrock, 4

Digs - Sophie Morgan, 12

Hattie Roland, 5

CEL vs MP

25-18, 21-25, 19-25

Kills - Makia Hassebrock, 5

Jada Bree/Arrington Mauhar, 4

Assists - Lauren Tedrick, 11

Digs - Makia Hassebrock, 12

Jada Bree, 11

Chester-East Lincoln Roster

Kianna Hassebrock

Lauren Tedrick

Madisen Wurth

Hattie Roland

Emery Maynard

Jada Bree

Sophie Morgan

Arrington Mauhar

Makia Hassebrock

Emmalyn Splitter

Maria Givan

Trinidee Harper

Isabella Curry

Brooklyn Curry

Coaches

Head Coach Ashley Paulus

Assistant Coach Dawn Crawford

Managers Lauryn Crawford and Trinity Crawford

[Teena Lowery]