Lincoln defeats Effingham in the Kill Cancer match with the Flaming Hearts
Little Wilson Smith wins the hearts of volleyball fans

[October 08, 2022] 

The Lady Railers hosted Effingham Thursday night and defeated the Flaming Hearts in an Apollo Conference game.


Little Wilson Smith was all smiles watching the Lady Railers take on Effingham. Wilson is with his mom, Brittany, his sister, Ella and his dad, Steven.

While the entire evening of volleyball featured the Lady Railers sweeping the Flaming Hearts, it was little 14-month old Wilson Smith stealing the hearts of volleyball players and fans alike with his sweet smile and waves to the crowd.

Wilson was diagnosed with a liver tumor on September 9th. On September 28th, Wilson endured a nine hour surgery to remove part of his liver. Wilson is doing amazing this week and he was able to be at the game with his parents, Brittany and Steven Smith, and his three-year old sister, Ella. The Smith family is from Edinburg and the connection with the Lady Railer volleyball team was made through social media.

A silent auction featuring donated items from local businesses, community members and LCHS faculty and staff drew several high bids, in addition to a 50/50 raffle that was won by Leslie Singleton.

By the end of the evening the total dollar amount raised for Wilson was $4,300. The Lincoln community really showed up in support of the Smith family and their Lady Railers.

On the court the Lady Railers made it a fun evening by sweeping Effingham.

The Lincoln Varsity team won in two sets over Effingham, 25-14 and 25-17 were the final scores.

The Lincoln JV team defeated Effingham in three thrilling sets. Lincoln won the first set 25-20. The Lady Railers lost the second set 22-25. Set three normally would have just been played to 15, but it took more volleying against Effingham. Lincoln won an exciting set three over Effingham 19-17.

The Lincoln Freshmen won in two sets. Those final scores were 21-17 and 21-14.

In the Varsity game, Kloe Froebe led Lincoln with 10 kills. Peyton Sasse added 8 kills in the winning effort.

The Lady Railers improved their overall record to 20-5 on the season. Lincoln is 7-2 in the Apollo Conference.

Lincoln will play in the Bloomington Central Catholic Saints Fall Classic this weekend.

Stats versus Effingham:

Kloe Froebe 10 kills, 7 digs and 1 block

Addy Qualters 22 assists and 1 dig

Peyton Sasse 8 kills, 1 dig and 1 block

Becca Heitzig 14 digs

Jenna Bowman 11 digs and 1 ace

Alyssa Company 1 kill, 1 dig and 3 blocks

Rebecca Burge 3 kills and 1 block

Addison Rawlins 1 kill and 1 ace

Avery Rawlins 1 dig

Lily Holmes 1 kill

Taryn Stoltzenburg 1 ace and 4 digs

[Teena Lowery]