U-High tops Lincoln on Kill Cancer
Night
[September 18, 2026]
The U-High Pioneers topped the Lincoln Lady Railers on Kill
Cancer Night on Thursday, September 17, 2026 at Roy S. Anderson
Gymnasium but the real winner of the night was 10 year-old Connor
Annerino, this year’s cancer warrior.
Connor is the real winner because his most recent scan showed no
signs of cancer. It is a real miracle. His mom, Crystal, said that
in March a scan showed cancer throughout his body. He has been
receiving treatment for Stage 4 Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma, a highly
aggressive soft tissue cancer. Connor has spent the past several
months at St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis. He has
completed radiation and is currently undergoing chemotherapy.
Connor was in attendance for the Kill Cancer Night since he is
currently home on a break for five days. His mom, Crystal, and his
grandma, Sandy, attended the volleyball games with Connor.
Connor will finish the clinical trial at St. Jude’s on February 14,
2027 and will anticipate a return to school at Washington-Monroe
shortly after. The family will have to fly to Memphis for check-ups
and Connor will take a chemo pill for six months following his
release from St. Jude’s.
Connor was presented an autographed volleyball
from the Lady Railers. Here he is surrounded by his grandma, Sandy,
and his mom, Crystal. Photo by Teena Lowery
Connor is an exceptionally bright young boy who is even learning the
Japanese language right now and he says he wants to visit Tokyo
someday.
Thanks to the efforts of the all those involved with this Kill
Cancer event and the tremendous support of the community, fans and
family members, the money raised for Connor reached $4,500.
On the court, the Lady Railers Freshman team started the evening
with a three-set victory over the Pioneers, 25-15, 16-25 and 15-10.
The Pioneers won the JV match 25-18 and 25-18.
The Pioneers also won the Varsity match 25-11 and 26-24.
U-High did control the first set, jumping out to a 7-0 lead.
The Lady Railers were able to trim the deficit a wee-bit, trailing
6-12 as Grace Bivin put down some good kills.
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Connor Annerino is surrounded by the Lincoln and Normal University
High volleyball teams on Kill Cancer Night. Photo by Cindy Bivin
With Sage Gilbert recording some kills during a stretch, Lincoln
kept pace but still found themselves down 9-15.
The Pioneers raced to a 20-9 lead and Lincoln was losing momentum.
The Pioneers took set one 25-11.
U-High took a 5-2 advantage to start set two but with Bivin at the
net the Lady Railers were able to quickly jump in front 6-5.
Ashlan Bruns put down a kill to stretch the lead to 7-5 and after a
block by Bivin the lead was 8-6.
With Lillybeth Braid recording a kill down the line, Lincoln was
still in the lead, 9-8 the score.
Bivin’s cross-court kill tied the set 10-10. Lincoln was playing
much better in set two and the game was back and forth, settling at
16-16 just before a timeout by U-High.
The Pioneers pulled in front 22-18 after the timeout but Lincoln
scratched their way back to tie the set at 22 all with Kenneadi Kohl
at the service line. A tip by Braid would give Lincoln a 23-22
advantage but in a matter of seconds the set was tied 24-24.
The Pioneers played a good game at the net and two final tips fell
in between the Lincoln defense. U-High walked away winners of this
Central State Eight matchup by a final score of 26-24.
Grace Bivin led Lincoln with eight kills.
Lillybeth Braid had three kills.
Paycen Schaefer and Kenneadi Kohl each had four service points.
Bianca Rohlfs led the team with ten assists.
Lincoln’s record drops to 4-12 overall and 1-5 in the CS8.
U-High improved their record to 8-8 and 4-2 in the CS8.
Lincoln’s next game is Thursday, September 24, 2026 at Taylorville.
[Teena Lowery]
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