![](../images/101816pics/image001_small.jpg)
Hilltoppers claim Tomahawk Conference
championship on Senior Night
Send a link to a friend
[October 19, 2016]
The Mount Pulaski Hilltoppers earned the Tomahawk Conference
championship by defeating the Cougars in three sets, 25-19, 24-26 and
25-17.
|
Senior Alexandra Beckers had another solid performance in the win
with 23 assists, 7 kills, 2 blocks and 1 ace.
Fellow seniors Kenzie Lock and Alex Clemons also contributed in the
win. Lock had 3 digs and 1 ace and Clemons had 5 digs, 4 kills and 1
block.
Sophomore Skylar Hayes led all players with 15 kills.
![](../images/101816pics/IMG_9516_small.JPG)
Mount Pulaski senior
volleyball players Alexandra Beckers, Kenzie Lock and Alex Clemons
pose shortly before taking the court Tuesday night.
The Cougars jumped out to an early 7-4 lead in set one before the
Hilltoppers managed to catch up and eventually take an 14-13 lead on
a kill by Hayes.
The Hilltoppers extended that lead to 18-14 on a kill by freshman
Paige Stewart.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2016/Oct/19/images/ads/current/symphony_lda_HALLOWEEN_2016.png) The Hilltoppers got back to back kills by Hayes and Beckers to run
the lead to 21-15. Beckers and Stewart teamed up for a monster block
on the next play and the Hilltoppers looked to be cruising in set
one.
Set one ended with Morgan May and Abigail Fitzpatrick teaming up for
a block to seal the 25-19 victory.
Illini Central made set two a closer affair. The Cougars even took
an 8-6 lead on a kill by Carlee Bale. The Cougars would go on to
lead 12-10 after a huge kill by Jade Fangmeier.
Illini Central maintained a marginal lead throughout set two until
the Hilltoppers mounted a late comeback. With the score 23-19 in
favor of the Cougars, Mount Pulaski got consecutive kills from
Fitzpatrick to pull the Hilltoppers to within two points, 23-21.
Fitzpatrick single-handedly kept the Hilltoppers eyeing victory with
a nice soft tip to catch the Cougars’ defense off-guard followed by
a service ace, 24-23 the score, in favor of Illini Central.
The ballgame would be knotted at 24-24 after a Cougars hit caught
the net. With Fitzpatrick serving, the Hilltoppers had a fresh start
in this one. However, Hayes would hit one into the net and then with
Morgan Sarff serving directly to Fitzpatrick in the back row, the
sophomore simply could not return the bullet serve. Set two goes to
Illini Central 26-24.
The Hilltoppers came out on fire in set three and ran off a six
unanswered points. A kill by May gave the Hilltoppers a 7-3 lead.
The Hilltoppers had no time to rest on their heels, though. Illini
Central fought back to tie the score at 9-9.
[to top of second column] |
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2016/Mar/14/images/ads/current/tires250x300.gif)
The Hilltoppers regrouped and came out of a timeout a
bit more focused on running plays and eventually regained a
commanding lead, 17-10, following a kill by Clemons.
The lead grew to 20-10 after a kill by Fitzpatrick.
![](../images/101816pics/IMG_9537_small.JPG)
Dakota Schmeiderer (13) was a handful for the Hilltoppers Tuesday
night. The Illini Central senior had 9 blocks and 8 kills as the
Cougars put up a good battle with the Tomahawk Conference
championship on the line.
The Hilltoppers ended up cruising to a 25-17 set three victory to
give the seniors a win on their way out.
The Hilltoppers current record sits at 9 wins and 19 losses. Mount
Pulaski will go for win number 10 on Thursday night at Jacksonville.
This weekend the Hilltoppers will host the Topper Tourney.
Regionals start next week with the Hilltoppers traveling to Nokomis
Tuesday for a 6:30 p.m. match.
Mount Pulaski stats
Kenzie Lock 3 digs 1 ace
Alexandra Beckers 23 assists 7 kills 2 blocks 1 ace
Alex Clemons 4 kills 5 digs 1 block
Abigail Fitzpatrick 9 kills 24 digs 3 aces 1 block
Morgan May 3 kills 2 blocks
Skylar Hayes 15 kills 1 ace 1 block
Isabella Wade 6 assists
Paige Stewart 2 kills 4 blocks
Illini Central stats
Dakota Schmeiderer 8 kills 11 digs 9 blocks 1 ace
Carlee Bale 5 kills 11 digs 7 blocks
Morgan Sarff 3 aces
Gabby Williams 1 kill 19 assists
Kyndel Arthalony 4 kills
Jade Fangmeier 6 kills 2 aces
[Teena Lowery]
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2016/Oct/19/images/ads/current/ldn_business_directory_small_2016.png)
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2016/Oct/19/images/ads/current/peasleymemorials_lda100213.png) |