High School Volleyball 
Stags finish in second place in 2023 Crusader Classic 


 

[August 28, 2023] 

The Hartsburg-Emden Stags earned a second place finish in the 2023 Crusader Classic hosted by Springfield Lutheran High School this weekend. The tournament was held on the campus of Glenwood High School in Chatham.

The Stags defeated PORTA, Jacksonville Routt Catholic, Chatham Glenwood and Springfield High School in the tournament before losing in the championship match in three sets to Staunton on Saturday night. 

On Friday evening Hartem defeated PORTA 25-15 and 25-21. Alayna Briggs led the Stags with 11 kills.

The Stags started off strong early Saturday morning with a win over Routt Catholic in two sets, 25-11 and 25-15 the scores. Alayna Briggs had 10 kills.

Later on Saturday morning the Stags defeated Chatham Glenwood 25-20 and 25-12. Addie Beekman led the Stags with 8 kills.

Early Saturday afternoon the Stags took down Springfield High in a hard fought match. Hartem won in two sets, 25-20 and 25-23, and advanced to the championship match versus Staunton. Alayna Briggs had 9 kills and Addie Beekman contributed 8 kills. 

The Stags came up short in the championship match versus Staunton. The Stags won the first set 25-20 before falling 24-26 and 18-25.

As Coach Jennifer Hayes noted, “What we gave up in points, we gained in grit, determination and game knowledge. Lessons learned the hard way.” 

Alayna Briggs was dominant in the championship match with 16 kills and 17 digs.

Addie Beekman had a solid performance with 11 kills, 9 points and 7 digs.

Celia Cross is an outstanding sophomore setter and she had 29 assists and 10 points.

Cloee O’Donoghue contributed 11 points and 9 digs.

Kylie Starcevic tallied 9 points. 

Emma Eeten had 3 blocks. 
 

The 2023 Crusader Classic All-Tournament team featuring Alayna Briggs and Addie Beekman second and third from left.
Photo courtesy of Jennifer Hayes.

Addie Beekman and Alayna Briggs made the all-tournament team for their outstanding performances on the court all weekend. 

Coach Hayes has a really talented team that is going to be a lot of fun to watch this season. She was proud of their effort in the first tournament of the new season. 

“Hartem had a great first tournament,” said Hayes, after her team went 4-1 over the weekend. “They played hard and the competition was fantastic. We won our pool beating 2A and 3A schools 25 times our size. What we lack in size we gain in heart. I could not have asked more of my team than what they gave this weekend. When you ask a team to give everything they have - you can never be disappointed. Yes, we came up short in a three set match for the championship. After winning set one, we came back set two from a 3-13 deficit to be tied 24-24. Just couldn’t edge them out. Losing the match 18-25 in set three. But the loss only makes you stronger. You never learn a whole lot by winning all the time. It keeps you in check. We have bigger goals ahead of us!”  

The Stags improved their overall record to 5-1 on the season.

Hartem will play away games this week at Delavan (Tuesday) and Princeville (Thursday). 

Stags stats versus PORTA

Alayna Briggs 11 kills

Addie Beekman 7 digs

Celia Cross 19 assists 6 digs

Kylie Starcevic 11 points

Emma Eeten 3 blocks

Cloee O’Donoghue 5 digs

Stags stats versus Routt Catholic

Alayna Briggs 10 kills 9 points

Kylie Starcevic 8 points

Sadie Williams 5 kills

Celia Cross 15 assists 3 blocks

Cloee O’Donoghue 7 digs

Allie Grelck 5 assists

Stags stats versus Chatham Glenwood

Addie Beekman 8 kills 6 digs

Alayna Briggs 5 kills 7 points 1 block

Sadie Williams 11 points

Kylie Starcevic 9 points 

Celia Cross 14 assists

Cloee O’Donoghue 3 digs

Stags stats versus Springfield High School

Alayna Briggs 9 kills 20 digs 2 blocks

Addie Beekman 8 kills 13 points 9 digs

Cloee O’Donoghue 7 digs

Sadie Williams 8 points

Celia Cross 18 assists

[Teena Lowery]