VolleyDogs win Aurora Invitational

The varsity VolleyDogs travelled to the Aurora Invitational Tournament on Sept. 17. 
Two pools of three teams would compete in cross-pool play.  ElDo defeated Aurora varsity 25-15 and 25-20 in the first round of pool play. 

“The girls came out very relaxed.  They played well and had a lot of fun.  It was completely opposite of how we started the past weekend at Branson,” Coach Tonya Hooper stated.

The second match of pool play brought ElDo a second victory as they defeated Aurora JV 25-10 and 25-18. 

“I was proud of the girls for playing consistent during the Aurora JV match.  The girls didn’t play down to the level of their competition like they had earlier in the week.  Getting intense and remaining intense is something we are working on,” said Coach Hooper.

Mt. Vernon was ElDo’s final opponent  in pool play.  ElDo finished with a 6-0 record beating Mt. Vernon 25-15 and 25-21. 

“The girls played well against Mt. Vernon,” Coach Hooper said.  “We had to stop a couple of big hitters and then find holes in Mt. Vernon’s defense to win.”

ElDo earned the #2 seed behind Pembroke Hill and received a bye in the first round of tournament play.  Mt. Vernon defeated Galena to advance to the semifinals against ElDo. 
The VolleyDogs played a close match against Mt. Vernon before winning the match 25-22 and 25-23 to advance to the championship. 

Coach Hooper commented, “Mt. Vernon’s middle hitter got some big hits down on us and lifted her team up during the semifinals.  The girls responded with some big hits of their own to beat Mt. Vernon twice in the same day.  That is not an easy task..”
ElDo then advanced to the finals against a tall and very athletic Pembroke Hill team. 

“I had watched them play earlier in the day and was wondering how we would match up against them.  I’m not going to lie, I was concerned,” remarked Coach Hooper.  “Pembroke Hill had some amazing hitters and played very scrappy defense.  We would have to hit a little better and play a little harder than them to win the match.” 

The VolleyDogs took to the challenge, playing one of their best matches of the season.  ElDo would take the championship match in three sets 26-24, 21-25, and 25-20. 

“It was such an exciting match,” said Coach Hooper.  “We had a great crowd supporting us.  The girls were hungry for a tournament championship.  It was a good day for ElDo volleyball.”

Tournament stats include:  Kaili Simmons had 34 kills, one service ace, 46 digs, three assists, two solo blocks, seven block assists and 46 digs;  Alexa Schaaf had 18 kills, five service aces, two block assists and 26 digs; Taylor Alumbaugh had 18 kills, two service aces, eight solo blocks, eight block assists and 25 digs; Payton Hallford had 26 kills, four service aces, 10 solo blocks, 14 block assists and nine digs; Sara Jennings had five kills, six service aces, one solo block, four block assists, 82 assists and 15 digs; Brooke Stacy had five kills, one solo block, nine block assists, seven assists, and 21 digs;  Kate Sibley had 10 digs; Lakyn Coleman had one service ace.

Seniors Taylor Alumbaugh and Sara Jennings were selected to the Aurora All-Tournament Team.