Hartsburg-Emden takes the "B & B Show" to Mount Pulaski - Beekman and Barry lead Stags to 16-2 record
 

[September 21, 2018] 

"It was great that Grace and Lexi really had the game of their life here tonight. They really did everything that they needed to do." - Hartem Coach Jennifer Hayes on the outstanding play of sophomore Grace Beekman and senior Lexi Barry versus Mount Pulaski Thursday night. The duo helped guide the Stags to a 25-16 and 25-18 victory over Mount Pulaski.

The Ed Butkovich gymnasium was sweltering Thursday night in Mount Pulaski, but that didn't stop the Stag or the Hilltopper fans from showing up for one of the best matchups in central Illinois volleyball.

"Welcome to the biggest rivalry in Logan County sports," proclaimed the announcer, Steven Hayes, at the beginning of the Varsity match. His comment drew laughs from the smiling crowd. Truth of the matter is, Logan County is spoiled by these two volleyball powerhouses and they have been for decades. Hartem's coach, Jennifer Hayes, is in her 25th year coaching the Stags and Mount Pulaski's Donna Dulle is somewhere around year 38 now.
The fans eat up the rivalry. On this night Mount Pulaski anticipated a feast but it was the Stag fans who would win out in the end and devour the "Hilltopper Special" later on uptown at the Pizza Man.

The Hilltoppers student section, the Purple Reign Spirit Squad, was dressed in camouflage and they made it clear they were hunting the Stags. On the opposite side of the court, the Stags had brought their fans dressed in black. That's dedication to your team when the gymnasium is nearly 90 degrees at 7:30 p.m. and you toss aside the light-colored cool clothing for school spirit. Hats off to both fan sections on that one.

And hats off to Grace Beekman and Lexi Barry. As mentioned above and giving credit to Blake Beekman for the title, the duo of Beekman and Barry really rose to the occasion Thursday night. Beekman's 12 kills, 17 assists and 8 digs earned her accolades from her coach, as did the 18 digs by Lexi Barry, who was holding down the back row.

"I thought Grace Beekman hit better than she's hit all year," said Coach Hayes. "Phenomenal for her. Lexi Barry just stood out as a defensive specialist back there and just ate up everything. I mean it was spot on. So I mean those two really carried us tonight."

Agreed. But the coach's daughter, Anna Hayes, was no slouch either. Hayes was still incredible with 15 kills versus Mount Pulaski. In the first set it was Anna Hayes with the violent kill that went sailing off Fitzpatrick to make the score 5-1 in favor of Hartem.

Fitzpatrick and Skylar Hayes would get their chance at a couple good swings and keep Mount Pulaski within close reach as the score was as tight as 9-8, with the Stags still in control. Back-to-back kills from Beekman stretched the Hartem lead to 12-8.

Skylar Hayes, who was just named the first Student of the Month this school year for Mount Pulaski, went back-to-back herself with kills and cut the lead back to 12-10.

Anna Hayes annihilated the ball shortly thereafter and the score was 16-14 with Mount Pulaski searching for ways to defend.

But it was pretty evident on this night when Beekman got a good set and a great approach, she was able to throw down a perfect kill. Her last two kills of the set sealed the 25-16 win.

Set two

Hartem raced out to a 4-0 led in set two, with Anna Hayes killing the first ball of the set without regret. Hayes has already committed to play volleyball at the University of Memphis and the force with which she hits the ball leaves no doubt that she'll succeed down there.

Between Beekman, Barry and Anna Hayes, Mount Pulaski had little chance to take over this one. The Hartem lead just kept growing. It was 12-6 after another kill from Beekman. And it was 14-7 after Anna Hayes took care of business as usual. Just when Mount Pulaski looked like they could land a kill, it was Barry hitting the new gym floor and dashing their hopes of a point.

Following a kill by Alaina Bradburn, one Stag fan said, "I think deer season is over." There was no hunting the Stags down on this night. The camouflage crowd got a little quiet as the Stags took set two 25-18.

That's a Stag victory. Hartem moves to 16-2 on the season.

Coach Hayes was extremely pleased with her team's play but she was also highly impressed with the play of Abigail Fitzpatrick. "I thought we came in and played a really good game," said Hayes. "I knew it was going to be a tough game in here. Donna (Dulle) had a great game plan. Her seniors did the job that they were supposed to do. Abi (Fitzpatrick) had a phenomenal game. I know she's not a hitter but she had her shots and she kept it in play. She did the job she was supposed to do and just defensively, she's amazing. You know, good luck to her at Southern."

Fitzpatrick, who has already verbally committed to SIU-Carbondale, finished with 18 digs and 8 kills versus Hartem. She will be a defensive specialist at SIU and on this night she, too, was impressive. While she dug a ton of volleyballs, she also got knocked down by some pretty powerful kills aimed right at her.

Still Hayes is pleased with her team improving to 16-2 on the season. "For us, I thought we played very solid. I thought our game plan was everything that it was supposed to be. We covered tips. We took care of the floor and made sure nothing dropped. I didn't think we had very high error. It was a great game."

Stag fans treated the reporter to Pizza Man pizza after the win. A “Hilltopper Special” was a big hit!

JV

The Stags JV team, with Grace Beekman's older sister, Kaylee Beekman, serving on the coaching staff, also defeated Mount Pulaski. Those scores were 16-25, 25-18 and 15-5.

Following the win, some of the Hartem parents headed uptown to the Pizza Man to try a local favorite, the "Hilltopper Special." Topped piling high with sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms, onions, green peppers and olives, the "Hilltopper Special" now appears to be a favorite among the Stags.

Some members of the Stags 2018 IESA State Championship team were in attendance too. Most notably, another Beekman. This time the youngest of the Beekman girls, Addie, feasted with friends in the restaurant's party room. A good time was had by all.

THE GIRLS IN PLAY

Hartem stats

Grace Beekman 12 kills 17 assists 8 digs 3 points 2 blocks
Lexi Barry 18 digs 2 points 1 assist
Anna Hayes 15 kills 8 digs 4 points 1 block
Izzy Classen 9 points 3 kills 8 digs
Avah Classen 4 points 4 assists
Emily Craig 4 points 3 digs
Lily Escobedo 9 assists 1 kill 1 block
Alaina Bradburn 3 kills 5 blocks
Brianna Grabowski 2 blocks

Mount Pulaski stats

Skylar Hayes 9 kills 12 digs 1 ace
Abigail Fitzpatrick 18 digs 8 kills 1 block 1 ace
Isabella Wade 10 assists 9 digs
Morgan May 9 digs
Chloe Olson 7 assists
Taylor Trimmer 5 digs
Madison Thomas 1 dig
Paige Stewart 1 kill 3 digs 1 ace

[Teena Lowery]