WMMC Radio 105.9 FM

Category: Sports

Information and articles related to sports.

  • Casey-Westfield Warriors advance to round 2

    Casey-Westfield Warriors advance to round 2

    The Casey-Westfield Warriors Football Team will play at Nokomis on Saturday, November 8, 2025. Tune in to 105.9 FM or stream here at 2:30pm for the Central State Pregame Show. Kickoff is at 3pm.

  • NFL Week 9 coverage on WMMC

    NFL Week 9 coverage on WMMC

    This week WMMC will broadcast Baltimore Ravens at Miami Dolphins on Thursday and Seattle Seahawks at Washington Commanders on Sunday! Tune in or listen online for great NFL Week 9 coverage on WMMC 105.9 FM!

    Thursday, October 30 – Baltimore Ravens at Miami Dolphins

    • Airtime: 6:30pm
    • Game Announcers: Jason Horowitz and Derek Rackley
    • Studio Host: Scott Graham

    Sunday, November 2 – Seattle Seahawks at Washington Commanders

    • Airtime: 6:30pm
    • Game Announcers: Ryan Radtke and Mike Golic, Sr.
    • Studio Host: Scott Graham

  • High School Football | Playoffs

    High School Football | Playoffs

    Don’t miss LIVE coverage of the Marshall Lions and Casey-Westfield Warriors playoffs games on Saturday! Both games will be broadcast live on WMMC Radio 105.9 FM!

    Marshall Lions at Arthur Lovington Atwood Hammond

    • Saturday, November 1, 2025
    • Pregame Show: 12;30pm
    • Kickoff: 1pm

    Red Hill Salukis at Casey-Westfield Warriors

    • Saturday, November 1, 2025
    • Pregame Show: 6;30pm
    • Kickoff: 7pm

  • Lions’ memorable season ends with a three-set loss to Westville in regional semifinal

    Lions’ memorable season ends with a three-set loss to Westville in regional semifinal

    On Tuesday, October 28th, the Marshall High School volleyball team traveled to St. Joseph-Ogden High School to play in the IHSA Class 2A regional semifinal round against Westville High School. The Lions entered postseason play with a record of 22-7, while the Tigers entered with a record of 26-8. These same two teams played one another during the regular season three weeks ago at Marshall, and the Lions came away from that competitive match with a straight set win (25-19, 25-19).

    In the regional semifinal, the Lions fell behind early in the opening set by as many as 8 points while Westville jumped out to a 13-5 lead midway through the set. Marshall, which struggled with opponents this season who attacked from both wings that led to a majority of their losses, had trouble defending the outside hitters of Westville at critical times. The only individual points for the Lions in the early going were kills by McKenzie Davis, Avery Cornwell, and Harper Richardson.

    Avery Cornwell (10) gets ready to pass as Anna Daughterty (4) looks on.
    Avery Cornwell (10) gets ready to pass as Anna Daughterty (4) looks on.

    With the Lions down 13-5, they mounted a charge by outscoring the Tigers 7-1 to get back into the match with the score 14-12 in favor of Westville. The run began when McKenzie Davis and Harper Richardson combined on a big block at the net. Anna Daugherty followed up by serving an ace. Ella Mattas connected on two kills, then McKenzie Davis and Ella Mattas combined on another block for a point to bring the Lions within two as Westville called timeout.

    McKenzie Davis scores for Marshall vs Westville.
    McKenzie Davis scores for Marshall vs Westville.

    Down the stretch in the first set, Harper Richardson won a point with a tip, Avery Cornwell scored another kill, and Lilly Ross smashed two kills, but Westville pulled away to win the opener by the score of 25-17.

    The second set of this regional semifinal started the same way as the first set, as Westville raced out to a 13-6 lead before Marshall decided it was not going to go down without a fight. Trailing by seven points, Marshall began dialing in hits and blocks, with Addy Ross leading the way with some huge blocks on the right side. Ali Sheets saved three points with magnificent digs along the back row, and Lilly Ross and Harper Richardson scored on tips and kills to bring the Lions back to tie the set at 18. On the next point, Ella Mattas served an ace, then Harper Richardson scored a kill, and suddenly Marshall had life. Lilly Ross snapped a kill for the Lions to maintain their two-point lead at 21-19, then after Westville got a point to make it 21-20, two straight kills by Harper Richardson gave the Lions some breathing room at 23-20. The Tigers hit the next point out of bounds to give Marshall set point at 24-20, and two side outs later, Marshall won the second set 25-21 to send the match to a third and deciding set.

    Harper Richardson eyes a kill during regional semifinal vs Westville.
    Harper Richardson eyes a kill during regional semifinal vs Westville.

    A kill by Ella Mattas and a tip over the net for a point by Addy Ross helped Marshall move out to a 6-3 lead early in the final set. Westville quickly tied it up at 6, then the Tigers moved ahead 8-6 before Marshall’s Lilly Ross and Harper Richardson combined on a block to get the Lions within one at 8-7. On the next point, Harper Richardson won the point with a tip, then she laced a kill down the line to put the Lions up 9-8 as Westville called timeout.

    The teams battled back and forth until Westville inched ahead to make the score 15-13 before Marshall’s Ella Mattas scored a kill to get the Lions within one at 15-14. The next few points of the match will be questioned, for what appeared to be a double hit at the net committed by a Westville player wasn’t called (similar to a ball that landed on Westville’s side of the floor but was ruled otherwise), and the Tigers went on to take a 19-14 lead which for all intents and purposes took the wind out of the sails for the Big Red. Westville kept Marshall at a comfortable distance thereafter and won the third set 25-17, winning the match two sets to one. Westville advances to the regional championship match and a date with Tolono Unity, which defeated host school St. Joe-Ogden two sets to one in the earlier semifinal. Marshall ends its season with a record of 22-8.

    In the state of Illinois, there are 466 high school volleyball teams. In a one-and-done state tournament at the conclusion of the regular season, only eight teams end their season with a win. Those teams are each of the four class state champions and each of the third-place teams. Each of the other 458 schools end their season with a loss. Although the Lions’ season ended earlier than they wanted, they can take much pride in what they accomplished this season as they took their fans and fellow classmates on a great ride. Marshall’s 22 wins on the season equals the second-most in school history (trailing only the 2011-2012 squad which won 24 matches).

    Lilly Ross rises up to drill a kill against Westville in the state tournament.
    Lilly Ross rises up to drill a kill against Westville in the state tournament.

    Lilly Ross finished the season as the top freshman in the entire state of Illinois regardless of enrollment classification in hitting. Harper Richardson finished seventh among all juniors. Both athletes return next year to run it back. Yes, the team must say farewell to graduating seniors Avery Cornwell, Anna Daugherty, Ella Mattas, and Addy Ross, but the Lions program has plenty of athletes to reload rather than rebuild. Ali Sheets looks to be the heir apparent at libero, and Aubree Shaffer and Olivia Strohm will look for quality playing time at outside hitter and middle blocker, respectively. Lauren Richards and Lexi Mason will be important to develop as role players in setting and serving. Those players, along with returning varsity players Harper Richardson, Lilly Ross, McKenzie Davis, Ellie Delp, and Nya Engledow, have what it takes to lead the program for another successful run as Marshall seeks its first regional title in school history.

    After a wonderful and memorable season for Marshall volleyball which began back in August, there is no rest for the weary – basketball practice starts Monday. Let’s go!

  • Lions volleyball celebrates Senior Night with a thrilling three-set comeback win over Lawrenceville

    Lions volleyball celebrates Senior Night with a thrilling three-set comeback win over Lawrenceville

    On Thursday, October 23rd, the Marshall Lions volleyball team welcomed the Lawrenceville High School Indians to McNary Gymnasium on Senior Night for Marshall seniors Avery Cornwell, Anna Daugherty, Ella Mattas, and Addy Ross. In front of the largest crowd of the 2025 season, which also had the biggest turnout of Marshall students on hand, along with the greatest pep band in Lincoln Land, the senior student athletes were honored with their parents between the junior varsity and varsity matches. These four special seniors have led a resurgence on the volleyball court for Marshall, and along with juniors Harper Richardson, Ellie Delp, and McKenzie Davis, sophomore Ali Sheets, and freshman Lilly Ross in the primary rotation, this year’s team came into the regular season finale with a record of 21-7.

    Ella Mattas, Avery Cornwell, Anna Daugherty, & Addy Ross led Marshall to a thrilling 3-set win on Senior Night over Lawrenceville/Photo by T Ray Henry.
    Ella Mattas, Avery Cornwell, Anna Daugherty, & Addy Ross led Marshall to a thrilling 3-set win on Senior Night.

    Standing in the Lions’ way were the Indians from Lawrenceville, who have hovered near the .500 mark all season and came in with a record of 16-19. If the campaign for Lawrenceville were to be described in a few words, it would be a story of good Indians, bad Indians. When they’ve been good, they’ve been really good, registering big wins over Casey-Westfield, Robinson, and LIC conference leader Mount Carmel along the way using their outside striking advantage. It certainly got Marshall’s attention when Lawrenceville defeated Mount Carmel last weekend. The Lions expected a battle in a sea of red inside The Mac.

    In an absolute electrifying atmosphere inside the venerable old gymnasium on the campus of Marshall High School, the Lions and Indians put on a classic volleyball thriller which for those in attendance will not soon be forgotten. In a back-and-forth affair, each set went down to the wire. The first set was tied at 23 before Lawrenceville scored two straight points to win the set 25-23. Lawrenceville had two match points in the second set, but both times Marshall dug deep and tied it back up. The second set went to overtime with the score tied at 25. This time, the Lions won the next two points, with Ellie Delp scoring a kill on set point to give Marshall the second set by the score of 27-25, sending the match to a third and deciding set.

    Harper Richardson soars high above the net to smash a kill during Marshall's huge three-set comeback win over Lawrenceville. Photo by T Ray Henry.
    Harper Richardson soars high above the net to smash a kill during Marshall’s huge three-set comeback win.

    After watching their junior varsity squad play in a multitude of three-set matches this season, the varsity squad said, “Why not? It’s Senior Night – let’s play a three-setter, too.” And what a third set it was… The Lions got down by as many as six points in the final set, the latest juncture being with the score 18-12. The Big Red never gave up and marched closer to get within two points at 23-21. Lawrenceville won the next point to go ahead 24-21, but the Lions would not let the Indians get the match winner as Marshall fended off three match points with a kill by Ella Mattas and an ace served by Harper Richardson. With the Lions down 25-24, a tip winner by McKenzie Davis pulled the Lions into a tie at 25 as the home crowd went wild. McNary Gymnasium was simply deafening at this point. The Lions won the next point to go ahead 26-25 when Ella Mattas smashed a kill from the left side to put the Lions one point away from a remarkable comeback win. Avery Cornwell served the next point, and the ball went back and forth over the net with fantastic saves and hits on both sides of the net as the crowd held its collective breath. Lawrenceville finally set up for a kill, but the strike was long, and Marshall began the celebration in winning the final set by the score of 27-25, taking the match two sets to one over Lawrenceville.

    After the teams met to congratulate one another after the hard-fought match at center court, the Marshall student section stormed the floor, and the Lions gave their seniors a night to remember. Marshall gets to celebrate for a day, then they turn their attention to the state tournament regional at St. Joseph-Ogden, where on Tuesday night they play Westville in the IHSA Class 2A semifinal round at 7:00 PM. The Lions finish the regular season with a record of 22-7.

    Look for the play-by-play match report this weekend in the Marshall Lions Volleyball Facebook page for both the varsity thriller as well as the junior varsity’s straight set victory over Lawrenceville in the final JV match of the season. Photos of both matches will also be uploaded to the Facebook page.

  • NFL Week 8 coverage on WMMC

    NFL Week 8 coverage on WMMC

    Thursday, October 23 – Minnesota Vikings at LA Chargers

    • Pregame Show: 6:30pm Central
    • Kickoff: 7:15pm Central
    • Game Announcers: Kevin Kugler and Ross Tucker
    • Studio Host: Scott Graham

    Sunday, October 26 – Green Bay Packers at Pittsburgh Steelers

    • Kickoff: 7:20pm
    • Game Announcers: Ryan Radtke and Mike Golic, Sr.
    • Studio Host: Scott Graham

    Washington Commanders at Kansas City Chiefs

    • Airtime: 7pm
    • Kickoff: 7:15pm
    • Game Announcers: Kevin Harlan and Kurt Warner
    • Studio Hosts: Mike Golic, Sr. and Mike Golic, Jr.
  • High School Football | Week 9

    High School Football | Week 9

    Marshall Lions at Newton Eagles

    • Friday, October 24, 2025
    • Pregame Show: 6:30pm
    • Kickoff: 7:00pm
    • Listen LIVE on WMMC 105.9 FM or CLICK HERE TO WATCH LIVE

    Casey-Westfield Warriors at Paris Tigers

    Martinsville Bluestreaks at South Fork / Edinburg/ Morrisonville Ponies

    • Friday, October 24, 2025
    • Kickoff: 1pm
  • Marshall volleyball squads sweep Tuscola as final week of the regular season begins

    Marshall volleyball squads sweep Tuscola as final week of the regular season begins

    On Monday, October 20th, the Marshall High School volleyball teams played host to the Tuscola High School Warriors in a non-conference doubleheader inside McNary Gymnasium. The Lions entered the match with a record of 20-7, while the Warriors came in with a record of 9-16.

    After Marshall’s junior varsity squad was extended to three sets, during which they defeated Tuscola’s JV squad 25-11, 19-25, and 15-12, the Lions’ varsity squad came out focused as they continue to prepare for the state tournament which begins next Tuesday. During this match with Tuscola, Marshall overwhelmed the Warriors from all angles while being more active at the net blocking Tuscola strikes throughout the match. In the end, Marshall won the match in straight sets by the scores of 25-11 and 25-14, defeating Tuscola two sets to none.

    The Lions got out ahead early in the first set on Harper Richardson’s serves. McKenzie Davis scored on a tip winner, then Addy Ross and Lilly Ross combined for a big block on the right side to give the home team a 3-0 lead. A kill by Lilly Ross later put the Big Red ahead 5-2 before the Warriors tied it up at 5 apiece.

    Marshall won the next point on a tip winner by Ella Mattas, then the next thing you knew, Marshall outscored Tuscola 9-1 while Ella Mattas and Addy Ross served to take a commanding 15-6 lead. During the run, Ellie Delp scored a kill, then after two straight aces by Ella Mattas, Lilly Ross scored a tip winner and a kill, then Harper Richardson and Lilly Ross scored back-to-back kills which gave the Lions their huge lead at 15-6.

    Marshall steadily built their lead to 15 points to go ahead 22-7 at one juncture, then they coasted to finish out the first set. Harper Richardson led the way during this stretch with 2 kills and 2 tip winners. McKenzie Davis and Ellie Delp combined on a block winner, then Harper Richardson connected on another kill to get the Lions closer to set point. Ella Matttas finally closed the door on the first set when she laced a kill from the left side, and Marshall took the first set by the score of 25-11.

    Some tremendous back court play from Marshall libero Avery Cornwell, who led the team in digs, and Ali Sheets, who looks to be the Lions’ libero of the future, kept the Lions in many points when Tuscola strikers managed to get the ball through the blocks at the net. Some lengthy rallies kept the nice crowd in the gym on the edges of their seats.

    During the early stages of the second set, Tuscola went ahead 4-1 with Marshall’s only point coming on a McKenzie Davis kill down the middle. With the Lions down 6-4, Ellie Delp smashed a kill and Addy Ross served an ace to knot it all up at 6. On the next point, Marshall’s Lilly Ross and Harper Richardson went up high over the net and blocked a kill attempt by Tuscola to give the Lions a 7-6 advantage. Two tip winners by Harper Richardson gave the Big Red a little breathing room with the score 10-8, then another tip by Richardson followed by a kill by McKenzie Davis maintained the Marshall lead at 13-11.

    Addy Ross gets the block at the net. Photo by T Ray Henry.
    Addy Ross gets the block at the net. Photo by T Ray Henry.

    The next four points in the middle portion of the second set turned out to be the most significant points of the match to keep momentum on the Marshall side. With Lions ahead 13-11, the next serve put in play by Avery Cornwell went back and forth, then Tuscola passed the ball around and set it up for an outside strike. Marshall’s duo of Addy Ross and Lilly Ross leaped high in tandem at the net and blocked the kill to give Marshall a 14-11 lead. On the next point, Lilly Ross and Ella Mattas combined on a big block to keep the point going. The Lions then set the ball high on the left side for Ella Mattas, who drilled the ball to the floor on Tuscola’s side of the court to put the Lions ahead 15-11 as Tuscola called time out.

    Coming out of the time out, Addy Ross and Lilly Ross once again combined on a big block for a point, then Harper Richardson dropped the ball over the net for another point to give Marshall a 17-11 lead. From then on, kills by Lilly Ross, Ellie Delp, and Harper Richardson put the Lions one point away from taking the match. On the next point, Ellie Delp put a stamp on the night when she struck a kill to give Marshall a 25-14 win in the second set, and the Lions swept Tuscola two sets to none.

    With the win, Marshall improves their record to 21-7 on the season, while Tuscola moves to 9-17.

    In the junior varsity match, Nya Engledow served an ace, while Ellie Delp scored a kill in the early going as Marshall ran out to a 7-1 lead in the first set. Lilly Ross registered three kills and Aubree Shaffer struck a kill to give the Lions a 12-6 lead before Tuscola rang off three straight points to get within three at 12-9. The young Lions then hit the gas pedal, outscoring the Warriors 11-1 to make the score 23-10. During the onslaught by Marshall, Lilly Ross served ten straight points, scoring four aces during the run. McKenzie Davis scored two kills, while Ali Sheets made numerous saves along the back line to keep points alive. With Marshall serving at set point, Ali Sheets served an ace, and Marshall took the first set by the score of 25-11.

    During the early stages of the second set of the JV match, Tuscola moved out to a 5-0 lead as Marshall had some issues with communication and spacing. When they finally figured it out, the Lions were behind on the scoreboard and playing catch up. Marshall managed to trim the Tuscola lead to one point with the score 13-12, but Tuscola then steadily built their lead back up, comfortably winning the second set 25-19 to set up a third and deciding set. Scoring for the Lions in the second set were Lilly Ross (ace), Ellie Delp (2 kills), McKenzie Davis (2 kills, block winner), Aubree Shaffer (2 kills, block winner), Olivia Strohm (2 kills), and Lauren Richards (ace, tip winner).

    In the final set of the JV match, Nya Engledow started the Lions off with an ace, then Ellie Delp put the Marshall side ahead 2-0 with a kill. An ace by McKenzie Davis, followed by another kill by Ellie Delp, had Tuscola calling time out with Marshall ahead on the scoreboard 5-1. Tuscola came back to take the lead 7-6 while the Lions’ lone point was a kill down the middle by Olivia Strohm.

    Anna Daugherty. Photo by T Ray Henry.
    Anna Daugherty. Photo by T Ray Henry.

    The Lions came back to tie the set, then they took a 10-8 lead on two Ellie Delp kills. With the two-point lead, Marshall’s Ali Sheets stepped up to the serving line and dialed up consecutive aces to give the Lions a 12-8 advantage. Down the stretch, Marshall got a kill from Aubree Shaffer, a tip winner from Lauren Richards, and a kill by Nya Engledow at match point. With Lexi Mason playing stellar defense along the back row, the Big Red came away with the three-set win 25-11, 19-25, and 15-12 over Tuscola.

    Marshall’s junior varsity squad returns to action Tuesday night (10-21-25) at 6:00 PM when the young Lions host St. John’s (Mattoon) for a junior varsity only match inside McNary Gymnasium. Marshall’s varsity squad returns to action when they play their final match of the regular season this Thursday when they host Lawrenceville in an LIC doubleheader. It will be Senior Night for four Marshall volleyball players (Avery Cornwell, Anna Daugherty, Ella Mattas, and Addy Ross) making their final home volleyball appearance. Make sure you’re inside McNary Gym on Thursday night to honor these wonderful student athletes. The junior varsity match begins at 6:00 PM, then after Senior Night festivities, the varsity squad will battle the Indians on the court.

  • Lucca Giannavola eclipses the 2,400-career yard rushing plateau on Senior Night

    Lucca Giannavola eclipses the 2,400-career yard rushing plateau on Senior Night

    On Friday, October 17th, the Marshall High School football team hosted Mount Carmel High School in a Little Illini Conference game at Bush Field on the campus of Marshall High School. The Lions came into the game with a record of 4-3, while the Golden Aces came in with a record of 3-4.

    On a scenic autumn evening, Marshall celebrated all the senior class members of the football team, cheerleaders, Marshallettes, marching band, golf teams, and cross-country team. With a senior class of 84, a total of 39 members of the senior class were recognized along with their parents/grandparents. When you include the four senior class members of the Marshall volleyball team, you will see more than half of the senior class is involved in fall sports in some way or another, which in today’s world is noteworthy.

    The Lions entered the contest needing one win in their final two games to become playoff eligible for the first time since 2016. When the Lions football program last qualified for the IHSA state playoffs, members of this year’s senior class were in the first semester of the third grade. Looking back on the 2016-2017 school year, this year’s seniors were still trying to navigate their way around North Elementary School.

    Facing the Lions in this game was a team that had to win out to qualify for the state playoffs to maintain their impressive streak of postseason appearances, including a Class 3A championship game appearance two years ago. With a loss at home against Casey-Westfield during their previous game, the Golden Aces were faced with missing the playoffs for the first time in a decade. The Lions were going to have to be ready to match the urgency the Golden Aces were going to be playing with.

    With Marshall receiving the opening kickoff, Mount Carmel tried a pooch kick. Marshall’s Tevin Cribelar made a nice play to gather in the directional kick at the Lions 40-yard line. After running back Lucca Giannavola ran the ball on first down and was tackled by 5 defenders, Lions quarterback Luke Brodie faked the handoff on second down and ran a bootleg around the left side for a Marshall first down to the Mount Carmel 48. The Lions offense kept moving the ball on the ground, picking up two more first downs while entering the red zone. With the Lions gaining a first down at the Mount Carmel 13-yard line, the Big Red offense was clicking on all cylinders. On the next play, however, the ball fell to the turf and Mount Carmel recovered the ball to end an inspiring drive by the Marshall offense.

    Lucca Giannavola (40) went over the 2,400 career rushing yard playeau against Mount Carmel
    Lucca Giannavola (40) went over the 2,400 career rushing yard playeau against Mount Carmel

    The Golden Aces began their first drive after the Marshall turnover on their own 13 with 8:04 remaining in the opening quarter. Mount Carmel moved the ball steadily down the field on the ground and through the air, scoring a touchdown with just under a minute left on the clock in the first. After the extra point was good, Marshall trailed 7-0.

    The Lions began their next drive at their own 34, and just like during their first drive of the ballgame, the Lions moved the ball on the Golden Aces. Facing a couple fourth downs and short yardage, Marshall got enough push to get first downs. When the Lions were inside the Mount Carmel 30, the drive stalled, and Mount Carmel took over on downs at their own 27 with 7:24 to go until halftime. Mount Carmel then chewed up yardage as well as the clock as they went on a 73-yard drive which ended with another touchdown. The extra point was good, and the teams went to halftime with Mount Carmel holding a 14-0 lead.

    The second half was a mirror image of the first half, with the Lions being able to move the ball, but they had nothing to show for it on the scoreboard. As a matter of fact, Marshall did not punt the ball all night until there were just over three minutes left in the ballgame. Meanwhile, Mount Carmel kept pounding the ball throughout the second half, scoring three more touchdowns to win the game by the score of 35-0.

    Silas Dean (6) and Lucca Giannavola (40) combine to bring the Mount Carmel ball carrier to the ground
    Silas Dean (6) and Lucca Giannavola (40) combine to bring the Mount Carmel ball carrier to the ground.

    The Lions have some solid accomplishments to take away from this game. The high-powered Mount Carmel offense did not have a play from scrimmage that gained more than 19 yards all night long, so the Lions defense minimized the big play. Senior running back Lucca Giannavola eclipsed the 2,400-yard mark for career rushing yards on Senior Night, which is a tremendous accomplishment and wonderful memory. Giannavola ended up with 65 yards rushing on 17 rushes. Luke Brodie was 6 for 11 through the air for 68 yards. Gavyn Boden caught two passes to lead the Lions with 32 yards.

    Marshall (4-4) now turns the page to Friday night’s regular season finale at Newton. The situation is simple: win the game and you become playoff eligible for the first time in 9 years. Lose and your season, and for this year’s group of seniors, your high school playing career, is over. For all intents and purposes, the game in Newton represents a playoff game for the Big Red – win and advance or lose and go home. After not winning a game during their freshman season, to one win during their sophomore season, to two wins last year in their junior season, to now being one win away from the playoffs, these kids have a chance to make history. Kickoff in Newton is set for 7:00 PM. Be there and watch the Lions bring home a playoff berth.

  • Lions sweep the Warriors on Senior Night at Casey-Westfield

    Lions sweep the Warriors on Senior Night at Casey-Westfield

    On Thursday, October 16th, the Marshall High School volleyball squads traveled to western Clark County to take on the Casey-Westfield High School Warriors in a Little Illini Conference doubleheader. Marshall entered the contest with a record of 19-7, while the Warriors came in with a record of 17-9. It was Senior Night for Casey-Westfield, and an alumni volleyball scrimmage between graduates of the two schools to benefit breast cancer awareness.

    After the junior varsity squads put on a show with a competitive match, with Marshall coming away with the win in three sets 27-25, 17-25, and 15-10, the varsity teams took to the floor in this Clark County showdown with each school experiencing its most successful season in many years. With both sides already knowing their postseason seedings, opponents, and schedules in the upcoming state tournament, this battle was not only going to decide third place in the conference, but it was also to award bragging rights in the county.

    Casey-Westfield jumped out to an early lead in each set, only to have Marshall come back to tie it up in the early stages. The teams would then battle back and forth in front of a large crowd. Neither side wanted to lose this match, but when the dust settled, Marshall came away with a hard-fought, exciting win over Casey-Westfield in straight sets (26-24 and 25-23) to sweep the doubleheader in a vocal, hostile environment which had a tournament feel all match long. With the victory over their rivals, Marshall has now won 20 matches on the season versus 7 losses, and regardless of the results during the final week of the regular season next week, the Lions will finish in sole possession of third place in the LIC. With the loss, Casey-Westfield’s record falls to 17-10.

    In the opening set of the varsity match, Marshall’s McKenzie Davis scored the first point for the visitors on a tip winner to tie the set at one apiece. Casey-Westfield moved out in front 4-1 before the Lions got a kill from McKenzie Davis and Ella Mattas and Lilly Ross combined on a block for a point. A kill by Lilly Ross then tied it up at 5. She followed that with another kill, but the Warriors moved ahead 11-6 before Harper Richardson scored a kill and Lilly Ross served an ace to get the Lions within three with the score 11-8. A seesaw battle took place through the middle stages of the first set, with the Lions getting scores from McKenzie Davis with a kill, Ella Mattas with a kill, and Harper Richardson with a tip winner. Casey-Westfield built another 5-point lead to make it 15-10, but the Lions steadily closed the gap with kills by Ella Mattas and Lilly Ross.

    The Big Red got it all tied up at 17 for the first time since it was 5-5, then the Lions got kills by Harper Richardson and Ellie Delp to knot it back up at 19. On the next point, Marshall finally saw their first lead of the match at 20-19 when a Casey-Westfield hit went out of bounds. A side out scored for Casey-Westfield tied the set again at 20, but a Marshall side out, followed by a tip winner by Harper Richardson, gave the Lions a two-point lead at 22-20. The play went back and forth until the Warriors tied it again at 23 before Marshall’s McKenzie Davis blocked a kill for a huge point that put the Marshall side ahead 24-23 and needing one more point to win the opening set.

    Casey-Westfield got the next point to tied it up again at 24, but consecutive kills by Marshall’s Lilly Ross put the Lions over the top to win the opening set by the score of 26-24.

    Marshall started the second set slowly, spotting the home side 4 straight points before the Lions got on the scoreboard. Two kills by Lilly Ross wrapped around a block winner by Lilly Ross and Ellie Delp gave the Lions their first lead of the set at 6-5. Lilly Ross and Addy Ross then combined on another block winner to move the Big Red ahead 7-5 before Casey-Westfield evened the set at 7 by winning the next two points.

    Lilly Ross (6) lines up to smash a kill through the Casey-Westfield block during Marshall's big win.
    Lilly Ross (6) lines up to smash a kill through the Casey-Westfield block during Marshall’s big win.

    The Lions then fed Lilly Ross, for whom Casey-Westfield had no answer at the net. Ross scored three straight points on two kills and a tip winner to give Marshall a 10-7 lead. Another point gave the Lions a four-point lead at 11-7. After the Warriors scored a point to get the score to 11-8, another Lilly Ross kill gave Marshall a 12-8 lead. Aces served by Harper Richardson and Ella Mattas, as well as a kill by McKenzie Davis and another kill by Lilly Ross, highlighted a Marshall run which gave the Big Red a 21-14 lead.

    With the Lions four points from taking the match, Casey-Westfield went on an 8-1 run to tie the set at 22. On the next point, Casey-Westfield scored to take a 23-22 lead as Marshall called time out and the home crowd erupted. On the next crucial point, Marshall tied it up at 23 when the Warriors serve went out of bounds. With the score all tied up at 23, Marshall’s Lilly Ross calmly stepped up to the serving line and scored an ace to give the Lions a 24-23 lead. On the next point, the ball went back and forth over the net, with both teams making saves. The point ended when Marshall’s Harper Richardson tipped the ball over the net, and the ball landed in bounds to give the Lions a 25-23 win in the second set, giving the Lions the match two sets to none over Casey-Westfield, spoiling the Warriors Senior Night festivities.

    In the first set of the junior varsity match, Marshall got scores from Olivia Strohm (kill), Ellie Delp (kill and a tip winner), and Lilly Ross (tip winner and a kill) to tie it up with Casey-Westfield at 5. Lauren Richards and Nya Engledow set up the hitters on the inside and outside during this stretch. Kills by Aubree Shaffer and Lilly Ross, as well as an ace served by Ross, gave the Lions an 11-8 lead.

    During the middle stages of the first set of the JV match, Olivia Strohm (kill), Ellie Delp (tip winner and a kill), and Lilly Ross (tip winner) scored for Marshall before Ellie Delp served an ace to give the Lions an 18-14 advantage. Lilly Ross then scored a kill to give Marshall a 19-14 lead, then she scored another kill which gave Marshall a 21-15 lead.

    Lilly Ross served another ace during a 9-3 Casey-Westfield run which tied the set up at 24. The team tied again at 25 before a Casey-Westfield serve out of bounds gave the Lions a one-point lead at 26-25. Lilly Ross quickly ended the first set with an emphatic kill, and Marshall came away with the first set by the score of 27-25.

    In the second set of the JV match, Olivia Strohm once again scored Marshall’s first point with a kill. Aubree Shaffer (2 tip winners) and Lauren Richards scored, and the teams were tied at 7 apiece. From that point on, Casey-Westfield began scoring while the Lions went cold on the court. Kills by Aubree Shaffer, McKenzie Davis, and Olivis Strohm were the only individual points for Marshall as Casey-Westfield won the second set 25-17 to set up a third and deciding set to 15 points.

    To open the third set, Marshall’s Nya Engledow served six straight points for the Lions to jump out to a 6-0 lead. Olivia Strohm scored a kill during the run, while Lexi Mason moved into the setter position along with Lauren Richards. The Big Red stretched their lead out to 8 points on a combination block by McKenzie Davis and Lauren Richards, followed by a tip winner by Davis to make the score 11-3. The Lions then stayed out in front through the end, and on match point, Aubree Shaffer put an exclamation point on the set and match with a kill to give the Lions the win over Casey-Westfield in three sets.

    Marshall (20-7) returns to action next Monday evening when the Lions host Tuscola in a non-conference doubleheader inside McNary Gymnasium. The junior varsity match is scheduled to begin at 6:00 PM, with the varsity match to follow. With only two matches remaining in the regular season, let’s get big crowds inside McNary Gym to support these student athletes who are experiencing the best volleyball season in many years.