Bulldogs roll past Edison for Sectional Championship

By Fred Kroner

The eighth-grade M-S volleyball team pulled together to earn an IESA Class 4A sectional championship in their season-ending match on Thursday (March 18).

Playing at Champaign Edison, the Bulldogs rolled past Edison, 25-11, 29-27. In the second set against the Comets, M-S had to overcome a 14-10 deficit.

M-S regained the lead with Kylie Waldinger at the service line for six consecutive points.

Before it ended, the Bulldogs had to stave off two set points before regrouping to register their fifth win in a row.

The clinching point was scored with Addi Eisenmann at the service line.

Talia Francom (nine kills) and Elle Barker (six kills) were offensive sparks. Eisenmann finished with three kills. Collecting two kills apiece were Grace Binkley and Ellie Dallas.

Francom collected a team-high three blocks.

Dallas and Waldinger were each at the serving line for 12 points. Dallas landed three aces. Waldinger served one ace.

Barker had two aces and Eisenmann had one ace among the six points that she served.

M-S (14-1) ended the season among the state’s top teams. Had the IESA not canceled the state tournament, M-S’ eighth-grade team would have been a state tournament qualifier (Elite Eight) for the first time since 1994.

The team was welcomed home with a parade of family and friends, led by a fire truck from the Corn Belt Fire Protection District.