H2 14 Illini West Red Continues to Push Through to the End

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Another great weekend of volleyball! Team RED continues to improve every week, and definitely didn’t disappoint this past weekend at Principia College. Placed in a strong pool in the morning, they played some of the best volleyball I’ve seen them play to date. Finishing 2nd in pool and heading to the GOLD bracket one more time. Even knowing they were going to face the tournaments toughest competition, they didn’t back down. I’m So proud of these lovely young ladies! GO R.E.D! Special thanks goes out to Mackenzie Herberer, who once again helped fill in for us from 14 Black, as setter Anna Reese was getting confirmed. Congrats, Anna! We are looking forward to pushing through this last week of practices, and to finish strong in our last tournament this coming weekend at SWIC. Go H2!

H2 14 Illini West Red Takes on Regionals in Cape Girardeau, Playing for Each Other as well as for Sydney Irizarry

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Mixed emotions definitely were in play this past weekend in Cape Girardeau, as 14 Illini West Red traveled for the Gateway Regional Tournament. After the tragic and saddening loss of Sydney Irizarry, the girls knew that this weekend was going to be extra special – and as a club, we all made that happen. H2 teams all over wore the yellow ribbon with #15 on it in remembrance, and soon other clubs such as Smash 14 Black, High Performance, and TESL were also wearing ribbons along with us. We were all so appreciative of the support, and grateful to be apart of an organization as well as this sport where everyone is caring and considerate.

Moving on to the first day in Cape, the team went 2-1 for the morning, coming in second in their pool, sending them to the Bronze division. After an afternoon full of Lambert’s Cafe and seeing “The Miracle Season” as a team with 14 Illini Black, the girls came ready to play on Sunday. The first match was against Smash 14 Black, who had the ribbons in their hair in support of Sydney. After a long point-for-point game, we lost both games 25-21. No hard feelings were seen, though, and we took a picture together to show our clubs united in this difficult time. Next up, yet again, were the Gemini Titans, who also expressed their condolences and were very nice regarding the situation. After losing this game, the playing had come to an end for the weekend, but no one was upset. Sunday was some of the best volleyball that I have seen these girls play this whole season, and I am very proud of them, especially since we were down a setter and had to have Jena Holder step up to set all the way around. Sydney Sommer can also be seen in a photo being huge at the net, and Elena Schrof had a couple of great games on Saturday, with multiple kills. Overall, we did very great this weekend and are very excited for Kansas City this weekend.

This post is a lot longer than most, but this weekend was a long one – plus we will forever remember Sydney Irizarry. #15, you will be missed, but never forgotten; rest in peace sweetheart. We love you.

H2 14 Illini Red Prepares for Gateway Regionals

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At the H2 Sports Under Armour #22 tournament this past weekend at Forest Park Community College, H2 Illini West Red had another successful weekend. After having a team drop from their pool last minute, it was decided that 3 matches to 19 would be played no matter what. After having a slow morning and losing to the Gemini Titans and PLVC 141, the team took a long break due to waiting for the other pool to finish. After a healthy lunch and watching H2 14 Black win their last pool play game, the team came back ready to win. Playing Team Mascoutah 14, the first game was a nail biter, with H2 coming out on top 20 – 18. The next game the girls decided to come together and finish strong, with the final being 19 – 9. Moving on, they faced PLVC 141 once again. Each and every girl played great and their hardest, but the score unfortunately did not reflect that. We really appreciate the hard work that every girl puts in, especially when they have to play in positions that they aren’t used to. After an awkward dive sidelined Jena Holder for a few games, Anna Reese stepped it up by setting all the way around, while Sydney Ehrman really had the mentality of “no ball drops” in the back row. Ava Fanning and Sydney Sommer both ran the net very well, from running our plays to tipping to strategic parts of the court.

Unfortunately, not many pictures were taken this weekend, but there is one showing H2 14 Black and part of 14 Crimson sitting and supporting us while we played our final match of the day. Thanks for the support everyone; we love our H2 Family!!

H2 Illini West Red Continues With Their Success – Despite the Injuries!

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On Saturday March 24th at Greenville College, H2 14 Illini West Red took on yet another tournament, but were missing a few familiar faces. After Samantha Niehaus and Sydney Sommer were out for the count after sustaining injuries, we had girls playing in different positions, plus a fellow teammate from H2 14 Illini West Black, Mackenzie Herberer, stepping in to help us out. After coming in second place in pool play after a hard fought morning, the ladies had a long 3 game match to continue on. Behind service runs from Aerowyn Harris and diving plays by Jena Holder, the game was won and the next game came. After some miscommunication and dropped balls, H2 14 Red lost, and ended up third for the weekend. Congrats on the consistency, but lets continue to move forward and get the W!

 

H2 14 Illini West Red Persistently Fights for First Place

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This past weekend on March 11, the H2 14 Illini West Red team visited Bishop DuBourg High School in St. Louis, Missouri for the DuBourg Classic. With tough teams in their pool like Rockwood and TESL, the ladies just came in third in pool play, moving on to the silver bracket. After playing and beating Elite 14 Red behind Elena Schrof and Anna Reese’s strong hitting, setting, and serving abilities, H2 14 Red once again found themselves at the silver championship against the Gemini Titans. After winning the first game and getting excited, the ladies fell the second game, bringing them again to a third game for the championship medal. Even with loud, cheering parents, friends, teammates, and coaches, H2 14 Red fell to the Titans and received the medal for second place in the Silver Bracket. H2 Illini West 14’s teams continue to strive for more and will be working hard in practices to achieve those goals. Congrats on the medal ladies; let’s move forward!

H2 14 Illini West Red Once Again Makes Their Way to the Silver Championship

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On Sunday, January 21st, the ladies of H2 14 Illini West Red played in the Stratman Sports Series at Principia College. With only 8 teams total in this tournament, the ladies hoped to do well and rise to the challenge. With a pool of mixed varieties, 14 Red went 1-2 for the morning, coming in third for their pool, with Ashley Ellis really stepping up to the plate as a right side with strategically placed tips and hits. Moving on to their bracket play, H2 defeated IL High Performance 14 Future. This brought them to the championship in the silver bracket for the second weekend in a row, thanks to hard work by libero Sydney Ehrman, pictured in her black jersey with DS Makenna Keith. Really wanting to take home a first place medal, they fought hard both games, but ended up just a little short to the Gemini Titans. Since coming in second in the Silver Championship 2 weekends in a row, they now have the consistency and will power to overcome future teams to work for first! Congrats on another successful weekend to H2 14 Red!

H2 14 Illini West Red Excels in Bracket Play After a Tough Morning in Pool Play

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After a slow start on the morning of January 14 at the H2 Sports Under Armour #7 tournament at Forest Park Community College, the ladies of the H2 14 Illini West Red were a new team on the court during bracket play. The morning had been a bit of a set back, with the girls going 0-3 for the morning against MOVA Gold, H2 13 Under Armour, and Top Notch Anslem. After a fun and great bonding time over lunch, however, the girls came back with power and finesse, with Jena Holder going on a 10-0 serving streak against MOVA White. After also overcoming the Gemini Titans, the girls advanced to the Championship for the Silver Division, now 2-3 for the day. Once again taking on H2 13 UA for the silver medal, the girls fought long and hard, with Sydney Sommer dominating in the front row. After losing the first game, they decided that two games were not enough for the Championship, and took them to a third game after winning the second. After a long and hard day full of competitive volleyball, the girls fell to H2 13 Under Armor, taking second in the Silver Division. They received their medals and took a nice group picture, and their coaches could not be happier. Congratulations to the ladies of H2 14 Illini West Red on their success! Let’s keep moving forward!