Lady Railers Volleyball season opener offers exciting matches versus SHG
 

[August 27, 2019] 

The Lady Railers Volleyball team opened the 2019 season at home Monday night with Sacred Heart Griffin. The atmosphere was wild inside Roy S. Anderson as a big crowd showed up in support of the Lady Railers. Railer Nation was represented with many members of the football, basketball and wrestling teams in attendance cheering loudly all night long. 

On Neil Alexander Court it was the Freshman team taking the court at 5 p.m. as the first volleyball of the season was served. The Lincoln freshman played very well together but just came up short against SHG in two sets, falling 26-28 and 21-25. 

JV Lady Railers Volleyball action.

Varsity and bench react to the JV game.

Ava Gorens and the JV squad during a timeout.

The JV contest was only more intense between the two schools. SHG took the first set by a score of 25-19. Lincoln won set two in a thriller to the end, 28-26 the final score. In set three the two teams battled all the way to a 12-12 tie until the Cyclones jumped ahead to take set three 15-12.

State Champion Lady Wolverines of West Lincoln Broadwell.
 

To add to the anticipation of the Varsity match, the fans were treated to the introductions of the 2019 Class 1A State Volleyball Champion West Lincoln Broadwell Lady Wolverines just prior to the Varsity warm-ups.

Varsity lineup during the National Anthem.

Varsity introductions for Lincoln included this starting lineup: Brooke Kitner, Taylor Gandolfi, Karissa Bowman, Emily Paulus, Elise Dawson, Ashley Schmidt and Leah Schneider. 

The Varsity match began around 7:45 p.m. which is a little later than normal. 

An opening kill by senior 6'0 middle hitter Brooke Kitner fired the red and green crowd up. Lincoln was off to a good start but a solid SHG squad was more than ready. Lincoln trailed by three to four points early on until SHG stretched the lead to 18-12 and began to run away with the match from that point on. SHG topped Lincoln 25-14 in set one.

Lincoln took a 6-5 lead in set two early on before SHG went on a couple little runs. Those runs only escalated as SHG Junior Morgan Rahn got more comfortable with her swings. The Cyclones would win set two by a final of 25-16. Morgan Rahn would finish the night with 14 kills. Megan Rahn had 3 kills for SHG. SHG's solid defense saw Claire Trees finish with 11 digs and Faith Washko finished with 10 digs. Nina Williams, Megan Rahn and Trees each had one block. Payton Nicoud finished with 12 assists and Chloe Hillyer contributed 11 assists. SHG recorded five aces on the night, with Nicoud serving up three and Washko good for two. 

Mya Kirgan at the net for the Lady Railers.

SHG sweeps Lincoln in two sets.

Official stats were not available from Lincoln due to technical difficulties but unofficially Brooke Kitner led Lincoln with four kills. Other highlights included the outstanding play of junior middle hitter Elise Dawson at the net. Lincoln really has a solid lineup and with the opening night jitters out of the way, the Lady Railers have a very promising season ahead.

Lincoln will play at Champaign Centennial Thursday night with the Varsity scheduled for 7 p.m. The JV game will take place at 6:00 p.m.

Railer Nation cheered on the Lady Railers and sang "Happy Birthday" to their No. 1 fan ~ Tim McDougall.

[Teena Lowery]