IHSSN Volleyball Coverage: Stark County/United

Stark County @ United (Volleyball)
9/7/10

IHSSN hit United High School for a top Class 1A volleyball match between the host United Red Storm and the Stark County Rebels. Each team possesses a hard hitting senior, with back-to-back Lincoln Trail Conference MVP Gina Long (United) and Natalie Turner (Stark County). Both the Rebels and Red Storm also have an array of talent in their lineups.

Starting lineups

United
Megan Patterson (Jr.)
Taylor Toops (Sr.)
Amy Olson (Jr.)
Michelle Ravel (So.)
Ashlynn Winkler (Jr.)
Katie Kaywood (Sr.)
Gina Long (Sr.)

Stark County
Kaitlyn Code (Jr.)
Elizabeth Groter (Sr.)
Cara Cobb (Sr.)
Brittney Price (Sr.)
Taylor Endress (Jr.)
Natalie Turner (Sr.)
Sarah Fabry (Sr.)

I arrived at the United High School gym between 5:30 and 6:00, and didn't realize there was a freshman match that preceded the JV match. I headed straight up to the press box/weight room that overlooks the gym and took a seat. Kim Long (Gina's mom) was upstairs, and UHS principal Amy Schmitz was running the P.A. and music. Amy helps out when I cover Red Storm volleyball on the radio, provided some much needed commentary (with my lack of volleyball knowledge!).

During the JV contest, I took some notes and prepared things for the upcoming varsity sets. I also took a chance between sets during the JV match to organize the IHSSN coaches polls. With a later than usual night, I wanted to make sure the votes were all organized by the time I arrived home. This also delayed the release of the rankings by about 90 minutes on Tuesday night.

The JV match ended up going three sets, pushing back the varsity series. Kim Long handed out good luck red Starburst...my favorite flavor of Starburst. I believe the red are cherry. Orange would be my second choice in flavors of Starburst, and yellow is most definitely my least favorite Starburst flavor.... but I digress.

United won the first varsity series, handily, 25-14. Videos of the match can be found here....http://www.ihssn.net/football/2010-illinois-high-school-volleyball

Unlike the first set, it was all Stark County in the second, winning by the identical score (25-14). Just like in the JV match, this match would go into a decisive third set. During the first couple of sets, I realized how tough it was to follow the sport of volleyball. Of the sports that I cover, it is by far the sport I need to learn more about.

The Red Storm took a 24-20 lead in the third set, and it appeared to be over. After a timeout, the Rebels would be serving in that four-point deficit. Hard-hitting senior Natalie Turner was serving, and would help lead the rally. As Stark County took a 25-24 lead, it looked like a spike by the Red Storm evened the score, but the ball landed just out of play, giving the Rebels the victory. Stark County's win also snapped a 15-match winning streak by the Red Storm, dating back to the 2008 season. United finished the 2009 regular season undefeated, and were (36-1) overall.

Gina Long finished with 20 kills in the match, as United dropped to 2-1 overall and 1-1 in the LTC. Stark County upped their record to 6-3 on the season.

Note: This is the first year United is playing their home matches at United High School, following the closing of the Alexis Fieldhouse.