Hartsburg-Emden eighth grade Volleyball headed to State

[March 12, 2019]    The Hartem Stags won the Class 8-1A Sectional 4 Monday night over Spring Bay Riverview 25-9 and 25-7 to advance to the IESA Eighth Grade Class 1A State Tournament this weekend. 

Cassie Crabtree led the Stags with 11 kills. She also had two aces. Lily Barry did not even play the entire two sets but when the eighth grade standout did, she was phenomenal with six kills. Each and every one of her six kills were a true display of absolutely annihilating a volleyball. She also served eight aces with a non-returnable jump serve. Violet Merz served three aces for Hartem. Addie Beekman added three aces and two kills in the Stags win.  

Hartem (18-2) has earned a date with West Lincoln-Broadwell (18-3) Friday at 7 p.m. in the first round of the state tournament at Pana High School. 

Hartem is the returning state champion for 7 years running now. The Stags have also won 10-of-12 state titles since the four-class system began in 2007. 
 

[Teena Lowery]