At 6pm on Thursday, January 15, 2026, the Marshall American Legion Auxiliary will hold a candle making party. Attendants will make a 4 ounce candle and a car jar.
Cost is $35 and includes one drink. For details, contact Jackie Evans.
For more information about the American Legion Auxiliary, visit: https://ilala.org/
Marshall American Legion is located at 302 S 8th St, Marshall, IL 62441.
Marshall, IL — December 10, 2025 — The Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce will hold a celebratory Ribbon Cutting and Open House for The Silo, now operating under new ownership. The event will take place on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at the restaurant’s location at 212 N. Michigan Avenue, Marshall, IL 62441.
Community members, business owners, and local partners are invited to attend this public celebration. The open house will run from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, with the official ribbon cutting scheduled for 1:30 PM. Guests will have the opportunity to meet the new owners, tour the refreshed establishment, and enjoy complimentary samples provided throughout the event. Anyone who comes into the establishment from 11 AM – 3 PM will receive a 15% discount!
The Silo has long been a valued part of the Marshall dining scene, and its transition to new ownership marks an exciting step forward for both the business and the community. As part of this new chapter, The Silo will host its Second Sunday Brunch on the second Sunday of each month from 11am to 2:30pm, and will also offer holiday party accommodation, gift cards, and full-service catering.
Thursday, December 4th at 6:30pm, Marshall Public Library will host Bob Cyphers, award-winning journalist and author of Dead End: Inside the Hunt for the I-70 Serial Killer.
For more information, visit the Marshall Public Library website.
MARSHALL, IL – The 9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit will arrive in Marshall today, Tuesday, November 11, 2025 and the community is invited to help give them a warm welcome!
📍 Arrival Time: 2:00 p.m.
📍 Route: Coming from the south on Route 1, then turning onto Locust Street toward Harlan Hall.
Everyone is encouraged to line Route 1 to greet the museum convoy as it makes its way into town. Let’s show our appreciation and support for this incredible traveling tribute!
🚧 Street Closures:
Barricades will be in place starting at Noon today, and streets will remain closed until 5pm on Thursday, when the museum departs.
Closed areas include:
🍽️ Senior Diners Notice:
There will be no in-house meals at Senior Diners inside Harlan Hall on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday due to the street closures. Delivery and carry-out will still be available—please use the east side alley for pickup.
Normal dining service will resume Friday.
The holiday spirit takes over downtown Marshall on Saturday, December 6, 2025, for Hometown Holly Days, a full day of festive fun for the entire family! Events run from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. around the Courthouse Square and throughout downtown Marshall, Illinois.
Click Here to sign up today! For more information visit the Hometown Holly Days page on Facebook or contact the Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce office.
On Saturday, November 1st, the Marshall High School football team traveled to Wilson Field on the campus of Arthur High School to battle against the ALAH (Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond) Knights in the first round of the IHSA Class 2A playoffs. It marked Marshall’s first return to the state playoffs since the 2017 season, and they were looking for the school’s first playoff win since 2014. The Lions came into the game with a record of 5-4, while ALAH came in with an unblemished record of 9-0.
“They didn’t let just anybody in that club
Took every ounce of heart and sweat and blood
To get to wear those game day jerseys down the hall
Kings of the school man, we’re the boys of fall” *
During this season of revitalization, the 2025 Marshall Lions put the city back on the gridiron map in the state of Illinois, exceeding all outsiders’ expectations by qualifying for the Illinois High School Association playoffs after beating Newton last week in the regular season finale for the first time in 8 years. It felt as if this year’s team turned back the clock for citizens who remember when Marshall made 12 consecutive trips to the football playoffs between 2000 and 2011, highlighted by a run to the Final Four in 2009 which had the Lions just one win away from a state championship appearance. Signs going up around town conjured up visions and memories of seasons gone by when Marshall High School football team members were indeed Kings of the school.
On a chilly autumn afternoon in Arthur, the bell tolled midnight for these Lions, though, as they spotted ALAH 20 points in the first quarter before playing the Knights to a stalemate until halftime. In the second half of play, the Lions played Lions football, outscoring the Knights 14-7. However, the hole they dug in the first quarter when they didn’t come out of the gate with any sense of intensity or urgency to match the Knights was their undoing. The Lions didn’t even gain a first down until the second quarter, and you can’t give an undefeated team a 20-point lead and expect to win at their house. The Lions fought back in the second half and cut the deficit to two scores. After stopping ALAH on their next drive, Marshall had momentum on their side in the fourth quarter when a turnover inside the ALAH red zone flipped the momentum with a 14-point swing that put the Knights up 27-8. When the Lions scored again, they were 13 points down with 4:25 remaining in the game. On the subsequent onside kick, ALAH recovered and ran out the clock. In the end, Marshall fell to ALAH by the score of 27-14 to end the season with a record of 5-5. The most glaring statistic in this game was in rushing yards. ALAH gained 340 on the ground to Marshall’s 178.
Marshall won the coin flip and chose to receive the ball. Intent on pounding the ball to wear the Knights down throughout the ballgame, the Lions went three-and-out on their first three possessions while the Knights marched down the field each time to score 20 points. Once the Lions offense got going, a turnover on downs in the red zone at the ALAH 13-yard line towards the end of the second quarter was the only bright spot of the first half for the Big Red. At the break, Marshall trailed 20-0.
As rough as the first half went, the Lions were still in, and they came out for the second half looking like a different team. The defense was much more aggressive, and the Knights could not gain a first down. Marshall got the offense going in the Wildcat with Lucca Giannavola at the helm. A huge pass on the drive from Luke Brodie to Bryce Griguhn for 52 yards on a third-and-two brought the ball all the way to the ALAH 29. Another pass to Griguhn from Brodie got the Lions to the three-yard line with a first and goal. The Lions wasted no time, as Lucca Giannavola plunged into the end zone to score Marshall’s first touchdown of the game. A Liam Keim run over the left side into the end zone on the two-point conversion made the score ALAH 20, Marshall 8 with 4:12 to go in the third quarter.
On the next possession for ALAH, the Lions defense played its best series of the game in stopping the Knights, and for the first time in the game Marshall had some momentum. After a punt put the Big Red at their own 39, they marched down the field as the game moved into the fourth quarter. With runs by Lucca Giannavola and Kaiden Sanders, combined with passes by Luke Brodie to Sanders and Liam Keim, Marshall found themselves at the ALAH 20 with a first-and-10. In one play, the game’s momentum flipped from Marshall’s side back to ALAH’s side with a turnover as the Lions were looking to go in and score to get within one score of tying the game up.
After ALAH gained possession, the Knights ran the ball on the Lions, who looked deflated on the drive. With 6:28 left on the clock, ALAH scored to make it 27-8. The Lions, however, came right back and drove down the field, culminating in a one-yard touchdown run by Lucca Giannavola at the 4:30 mark to make it 27-14.
The ensuing onside kick was recovered by ALAH, and after two first downs, the Knights ran out the clock on the Lions’ season. With the win, ALAH (10-0) moves on to the second round of the IHSA Class 2A playoffs where they will host Cumberland. The Little Illini Conference had a rough day with four of its five playoff teams falling in the first round Saturday (Paris, Olney, and Mount Carmel join Marshall on the sidelines).
Lucca Giannavola rushed the ball 35 times for 148 yards and two touchdowns. Luke Brodie was 7 of 14 through the air for 155 yards. Liam Keim led the Lions in receiving with 3 catches for 49 yards. Bryce Griguhn had two catches for 66 yards, while Kaiden Sanders finished with two catches for 35 yards. Keim also scored a two-point conversion on the ground. Lucca Giannavola finished his career at Marshall High School with 2,746 career rushing yards on 248 carries, and he finished with 22 rushing touchdowns to go along with 2 receiving touchdowns.
With this being the final game for the seniors who led this team to more wins this year than the school experienced during the previous three years combined, this group will be remembered for providing the spark which reignited Marshall Lions football. Coming into a program that had not won a game in over four years, these kids have much to be proud of as they pass the torch.
Where this program goes from here is anybody’s guess. Leadership will be critical moving forward into 2026 to maintain the progress generated thus far. With team leaders Lucca Giannavola, Kaiden Sanders, and Liam Keim all graduating, who will step up and hold players accountable during the off-season in the weight room and during conditioning? Football is not an August to November sport; it is a yearlong commitment during which strength and conditioning are vital for the program’s continued success. The core is there in Luke Brodie, Silas Dean, Boston Rollings, Lachlan Smith, Josef Stafford, and Max Welch. Part of the maturation process of a high school athlete is becoming a leader, organizing the off-season program, leading the players through strength and conditioning, two-a-days, 7-on-7 tournaments, and during film study.
The Lions have vacancies in many areas looking towards the future, predominantly in the receiving corps/tight ends and in the linebacker corps and defensive backfield. How Preston Welsh comes back from a season-ending injury earlier this season will be answered, while others will need to step up and become reliable receivers. Replacing multi-year starter Ricky Gibson at center will also help to solidify an offensive line that’s getting bigger and stronger each year.
Although the game versus ALAH didn’t end with the result they wanted, the Marshall High School football program gave the school and the city a ride to remember in the fall of 2025. Along with a successful season in volleyball and a state finals run for the girls cross country squad, Lions sports continue to make strides towards success.
“And it’s knocking heads and talking trash
It’s slinging mud and dirt and grass
It’s I got your number; I got your back when your back’s against the wall
You mess with one man you got us all
The boys of fall”
Lyrics from The Boys of Fall (sung by Kenny Chesney)
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!
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.
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.
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.
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 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!
On Friday, October 24th, the Marshall High School football team traveled to Chizevsky Field in Newton to take on the Newton Community High School Eagles in the 2025 regular season finale. The Lions came into the game with a record of 4-4, needing a win against the Eagles (3-5) to become playoff eligible for the first time since 2017. In the previous nine meetings between these two squads, Newton had won all nine games dating back ten years (the two schools did not play during 2020 due to the COVID pandemic). With the Lions playing for what all intents and purposes mounted to a playoff game to get into the playoffs, this game meant much more to Marshall, while Newton was playing on Senior Night and wanted nothing more than to play the role of spoiler.
One more game.
At each game during the season, it became a tradition where a couple assistant coaches stopped by to say hello before the game. Before the Newton game, the coaches said that Marshall had its best week of practice of the whole season, and both said the theme tonight was this: One More Game. Before the arrival of head coach Steve Weber, it’s no secret that Marshall football had a stretch of seasons where the Lions finished winless, and when Weber took over as head coach, the Marshall gridiron program had not won a football game in over four years. In coach Weber’s first year, the Big Red won a game at Olney. That year also happened to be the same year that the current senior class football players were sophomores. Last year, the Lions won two games, and this season they had won four games, putting the team just one win away from making the IHSA state playoffs for the first time since 2017. With one game standing between the playoffs and the season being over, the one thing on the minds of the Lions coaches was One More Game. All they wanted was to get this year’s seniors into the playoffs so they can play one more time after leading the renaissance of Lions football.
And what a night in Newton it was… After a rough start in spotting the Eagles 7 points with just a minute and 31 seconds off the clock, Marshall went on a drive via runs by Lucca Giannavola, Liam Keim, and Kaiden Sanders to get the Lions into the Newton red zone and down to the Eagles 10. Marshall wasted no time thereafter, scoring a touchdown when Lucca Giannavola rushed into the end zone from 10 yards out. Following a Giannavola rush up the middle for the two-point conversion, Marshall led 8-7 with 3:49 to go in the first quarter.
On the ensuing drive for Newton, the Eagles marched down the field, mixing it up on the ground and through the air to score a touchdown and two-point conversion to take a 15-8 lead over the Lions with 7:15 to go before halftime. Without any scoring in the half down the stretch, the teams went to their locker rooms with Marshall trailing by seven.
The second half was an entirely different story for the Lions, who played lights out on defense throughout the final 24 minutes. Newton took the second half kickoff down into the red zone, but Marshall’s defense stiffened and stopped the Eagles on fourth down at the Lions 8.
The Lions offense methodically marched down the field on runs by Lucca Giannavola, Luke Brodie, Liam Keim, Kaiden Sanders, and Silas Dean as the Lions offensive line dominated in the trenches. The drive culminated in Lucca Giannavola’s 4-yard touchdown run and two-point conversion. With 1:44 to go in the third quarter, Marshall had the lead at 16-15 as those who took the hour-long drive to Newton roared in the bleachers.
On the kickoff following the Marshall touchdown, the ball caromed off a Newton player up front, and Marshall’s Wyatt Geltz pounced on the loose ball to give the Lions a huge swing of momentum. The complexion of the game changed immediately after Geltz’s fumble recovery. Even though the succeeding drive stalled in Newton territory, the Lions showed they were in it to win it.
Newton took the ball after a Marshall punt all the way down inside the Lions 10-yard line in the waning moment of the third quarter. There, the Lions defense played perhaps the best series of the season in keeping the Eagles out of the end zone. On fourth down, a pass down the left sideline was broken up, and the Lions took over on downs at their own seven.
A couple Lucca Giannavola runs on the subsequent drive took the ball out to the Marshall 19 where the Big Red had a first and 10. On the next play, Marshall quarterback Luke Brodie handed the ball off to Kaiden Sanders on a jet sweep around the left side. Sanders broke one tackle and ran into the clear down the left sideline for an 81-yard Marshall touchdown. The two-point conversion was good when Lucca Giannavola threw the ball to Liam Keim at the right pylon, and Marshall now led Newton 24-15 with about a minute to go in the third.
With Newton attempting a comeback on their next drive, Marshall’s nickel defense was up to the challenge. The Lions interior line of Boston Rollings, Lachlan Smith, along with Fisher Bishop and Hank Orman, collapsed the pocket, while Josef Stafford and Bryer Jansen were chasing Newton’s quarterback to hurry passes. Marshall’s defensive backs were also rock solid covering the Eagles 5-receiver sets.
It seemed after Kaiden Sanders’ touchdown that the Lions played faster without the pressure of the scoreboard. Coming down the stretch, Marshall kept getting stops, and another Lucca Giannavola rushing touchdown, this one from one yard out, followed by a two-point conversion run around the left side by Liam Keim, put the Lions ahead 32-15 with 3:11 to go in the game. At this juncture, Marshall’s players and fans began to realize that One More Game was coming to fruition,. and there was an audible buzz along the sideline and in the stands.
Once the Lions defense stopped one last gasp by Newton, the Marshall offense took the ball over on downs with a minute to go on the clock. Two kneel-downs by Luke Brodie later, the clock ticked down to zeroes, and the Marshall sideline erupted with a huge win over Newton by the score of 32-15. With the win, Marshall became the fifth team in the Little Illini Conference to become playoff eligible, which for an eight-team conference is remarkable.
Lucca Giannavola led the Lions in rushing with 173 yards on 30 carries and 3 touchdowns. Kaiden Sanders ran the ball twice for 77 yards and a touchdown, and Liam Keim scored two two-point conversions (one rushing and one receiving). Luke Brodie was 7 for 11 in passing for 66 yards. Kaiden Sanders and Liam Keim led the Lions in receiving with two apiece. On the defensive side of the ball, Lucca Giannavola had 11 tackles, while Gavyn Boden, Liam Keim, Silas Dean, and Tevin Cribelar each finished with four.
Marshall (5-4) will play its next game in the first round of the IHSA Class 2A state playoffs this coming Saturday, November 1st when the Lions travel to Arthur to take on the undefeated ALAH Knights. Kickoff for the game is scheduled for 1:00 PM at Wilson Field, which is located at Arthur High School. Tickets for the game are $8.00 (IHSA pricing) and will only be sold at the gate (cash only). With limited seating at Wilson Field, Lions spectators may want to prepare by packing lawn chairs in their vehicles. Let’s support these athletes by going to Arthur and bringing home a playoff victory.
One. More. Game.
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.
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.
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.