2013

Congratulations to Emily Hoard for being named to the 2013 News Gazette All State volleyball team as a special mention!

Check out this link recognizing their achievement:

News Gazette All State Volleyball Article

Congratulations to Emily Hoard, Rachael Leek, and Jordan Willmes for being named to the 2013 River-to-River All Conference AND All South volleyball team!

Check out this link recognizing their achievement:

The Southern Illinoisan

Season Results

WIN- Marion

• Our Lady Patriots won their season opener to Marion with a well balanced offensive attack winning 25-13, 25-18.
• In the match, Rachael Leek tossed out a game high 20 assists.
• Emily Hoard recorded 9 kills and 12 service points.
• Whitthorne, Hoyer, and Miller chipped in with 7, 6, and 4 kills respectively.
• Defensively, Willmes led all players with 11 digs.

WIN- Paducah Tilghman

• Cruising in 3-straight sets (by KY rules), Massac defeated the tornadoes 25-8, 25-8, 25-10.
• And what an offensive explosion it was! 5 different Lady Pats recorded at least 5 kills topped by the 9 kill effort from junior Christina Whitthorne andsophomore Laken Hoyer.
• Serving was also key for Massac as Whitthorne and Willmes combined for an astounding 15 aces.

Conference Tournament 3rd Place

WIN- DuQuoin

• (Massac had to shake off the rust and hang on to defeat a tough DuQuoin defense 25-21, 25-23)

WIN- Herrin

• (Herrin's blocking would prove formidable but our Lady Pats responded winning 25-19, 21-25, 15-9)

WIN- Sparta

• (An 8 kill - 8 service point effort from Emily Hoard would fuel a rout of Sparta 25-18, 25-16)

LOSS- Carterville

• (The Pats first loss of the season was a frustrating one losing to the C'ville attack 20-25, 11-25)

LOSS- Nashville

• (In what was the tournament championship, Massac could not hold the lead falling 22-25, 17-25)

• Congratulations to Emily Hoard and Jordan Willmes for being named to the River-to-River Conference All Tournament team.
• Other Notes on the tournament: Massac only missed 5 serves in 5 matches. What a great team effort!

LOSS- Herrin

• Massac dropped the conference opener on the road to the Herrin Tigers falling in 3 sets 26-24, 21-25, 15-25.
• Defensively, Jordan Willmes played exceptionally well racking up a team high 21 digs.
• Offensively, Christina Whitthorne tallied 11 kills with only 3 hitting errors.

Southern Illinois Preview Tournament

WIN- Herrin

• (In a rematch from 2 nights ago, Massac gained revenge on the Tigers winning easily 25-13, 25-18)

WIN- Centralia

• (Alexxus Thompson recorded a game-high 8 blocks to lead the Pats to a decisive 25-18, 25-11 win)

LOSS- O'Fallon

• (Jordan Willmes recorded 13 digs on 14 passes but Massac fell in straight sets losing 16-25, 21-25)

Statistical notes on the tournament:

• Emily Hoard led the offensive attack notching 36 kills and only 3 hitting errors.
• Rachael Leek dished out a team-high 50 assists.
• Jordan Willmes led all defensive players recording 32 digs.
• Rachel Chapman was nearly spotless on serve receive totally 16/17 perfect passes.
• Christina Whitthorne served out 16 service points and picked up 12 digs.
• Laken Hoyer tallied 13 kills on the day with only 2 hitting errors.
• Kristina Miller picked up 8 kills with only 1 hitting error and totaled 6 blocks at the net.
• Josie Garduno was nearly perfect defensively recording 15 digs with only 1 passing error.
• Alexxus Thompson led the team in blocks recording 11 blocks with 4 block/points.
• Taylor Stoner served out 7 points on 12/14 serving.
• Krista Garduno had 3 digs on 4/6 passing.
• Mollie Fisher finished 7/8 from the service line picking up 3 service points.
• Alyssa Logeman was a perfect 3/3 setting.
• Caroline Thompson was 2/2 hitting against Centralia and 1/1 on serve receive.
• Taylor Stephens was perfect from the service line on her only attempt against Herrin.

WIN- West Frankfort

• In a blistering hot gym with little to no air movement, Massac overcame the sweat to win 22-25, 25-18, 25-11.
• Offensively, Emily Hoard was nearly untouched connecting on 22 kills (career high).
• Laken Hoyer and Christina Whitthorne combined to record 11 kills.
• From the service line, Josie Garduno served out a team-high 12 service points.
• Defensively, Jordan Willmes and Rachel Chapman combined for 27 digs and only 1 passing error.

WIN- Carterville

• Despite dropping the opener, our Lady Pats stormed back to defeat the Lady Lions in 3-sets 22-25, 25-17, 25-15.
• Massac used a balanced attack offensively as Hoard, Whitthorne, Hoyer, and Thompson each recorded 5+ kills.
• Rachael Leek was the beneficiary of great defense as she was able to toss out a game-high 25 assists.
• Doing the "dirty work", Jordan Willmes and Emily Hoard each picked up 14 digs. Chapman helped out the team effort with 8 digs of her own.

Article from the Southern Illinoisan: Southern Illinoisan Article

WIN- Murphysboro

• Massac used a "bend but don't break" philosophy to out-last the Red Devils winning 25-20, 25-22.
• Defensively Jordan Willmes led all players with 15 digs and 10 service points.
• Christina Whitthorne and Emily Hoard combined to put down 20 kills in the match.
• Rachael Leek tossed out 18 assists.
• Kristina Miller recorded 3 kills and picked up 3 assists.

Article from the Southern Illinoisan: Southern Illinoisan Article

WIN- Harrisburg

• The Lady Bulldogs used great defense to keep things interesting but in the end Massac pulled away 25-13, 23-25, 25-16.
• Emily Hoard was close to unstoppable in the third set connecting on 10 kills. She had 18 kills in the match.
• As always, Rachael Leek orchestrated the offense dishing out 30 assists.
• Christina Whitthorne and Alexxus Thompson combined to score 18 kills.
• Defensively, Jordan Willmes, Rachel Chapman, and Josie Garduno picked up 22, 7, and 8 digs respectively.

Massac Superman Slam Invitational Champions (5 years in a row)

WIN- Vienna

• (Whitthorne and Hoard combined to tally 18 kills on 36 attacks as Massac won 25-17, 25-10)

WIN- Centralia

• (Jordan Willmes was a perfect 12/12 on serve receive with 10 digs as Massac won 25-17, 25-19)

WIN- Cobden

• (Emily Hoard and Laken Hoyer combined to tally 16 kills on 24 attacks as Massac won 25-19, 25-17)

WIN- Eldorado

• (Against the Eagles, Rachael Leek dished out 18 assists as Massac cruised to a 25-11, 25-22 win)

WIN- New Athens

• (In the championship match, Massac used a total team effort to outlast in 3-sets 25-19, 23-25, 15-13)

• Congratulations to Emily Hoard for being named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player.
• Congratulations also goes to Rachael Leek, Jordan Willmes, and Laken Hoyer who were named to the All Tournament team.
• Statistical notes on the tournament:
  • Christina Whitthorne- 31 service points
  • Jordan Willmes- 48 digs
  • Emily Hoard- 60 kills
  • Laken Hoyer- 35 kills
  • Rachel Chapman- 24 service points
  • Josie Garduno- 27 service points
  • Rachael Leek- 86 assists
  • Krista Garduno- 5 digs
  • Taylor Stephens- 7 assists
  • Alyssa Logeman- 2 assists
  • Mollie Fisher- 5 service points
  • Taylor Stoner- 2 digs
  • Caroline Thompson- 1 kill

WIN- Herrin

• In their 4th match-up of the season, Massac defeated Herrin in straight sets winning 25-19, 25-20.
• Emily Hoard and Christina Whitthorne combined to score 15 kills.
• Jordan Willmes notched 14 digs and was a perfect 12/12 on serve receive.
• Rachael Leek tallied 17 assists and had 13 service points.
• Laken Hoyer picked up 5 kills and 2 block points.
• This is the Lady Patriots' 10th straight win.
• Another interesting note- The Lady Patriots have not lost a home match since the 2011 season!

LOSS- Benton

• Playing in a small but VERY loud gym, Massac struggled to score points dropping both sets 7-25, 21-25.
• In the match, Jordan Willmes picked up 17 digs.
• Emily Hoard and Laken Hoyer combined for 14 kills.

Congratulations to the freshman Lady Patriots who took first place at the McCracken County Spikefest held at the Paducah Regional Sportsplex this past Saturday.

• The freshman finished the day with a record of 5-1 defeating Caldwell County in the championship match.
• Caldwell County had beaten them earlier in the day but Massac responded with more determination in the championship winning an incredibly close match in 3-sets.

WIN- Murphysboro

• In a back and forth battle of conference powers, Massac eased by Murphy winning both sets 27-25, 25-19.
• The Lady Pats offense was in full force as Hoard, Whitthorne, and Hoyer tallied 15, 9, and 6 kills respectively.
• Rachael Leek's setting was spot-on as she dished out a game-high 24 assists.
• Libero Jordan Willmes inched her way closer to the school's all time dig record picking up 10 digs in the contest.
• Rachel Chapman and Willmes combined for a perfect 21/21 on serve receive.
• Alexxus Thompson and Kristina Miller controlled the front line notching 6 blocks in the match.
• Josie Garduno stuffed the stat sheet recording 4 assists, 4 service points, 2 digs, and 2/2 on serve receive.

WIN- Harrisburg

• Using a fast-paced offense, our Lady Patriots were able to out-muscle the Bulldogs winning 25-22, 25-17.
• Rachael Leek orchestrated the up-tempo offense accumulating a game-high 20 assists.
• Sharing the load of the hitting were Emily Hoard, Laken Hoyer, and Christina Whitthorne who tallied 10, 7, and 6 kills respectively. Kristina Miller also picked up 2 kills and 2 blocks in the match.
• Defensively, Jordan Willmes and Rachel Chapman combined for 16 digs.
• Newcomer Summer Smallman served a game-high 9 service points in her varsity debut.

WIN- Benton

• In front of the largest volleyball crowd in Lady Pats history, Massac out willed the Rangerettes 25-19, 15-25, 25-23.
• Jordan Willmes was superb picking up 19 digs in the match to go with her 12 service points.
• Rachael Leek ran the offense to perfection connecting on 29 assists.
• Emily Hoard and Christina Whitthorne were also in full-force combining on 28 kills.

WIN- West Frankfort

• Massac cruised in their final conference match-up of the season winning in straight sets 25-13, 25-18.
• With a final conference record of 8-2, Massac repeats as conference champs sharing the title with Murphysboro.
• In the match, each of the Massac hitters were involved as five girls each recorded 2 kills or more.
• Jordan Willmes and Rachel Chapman combined for 14 digs in the match and 17/18 on serve receive.
• Alexxus Thompson led the way blocking as she scored 2 points.

Congratulations to the JV Lady Patriots who took first place at the West Frankfort Tournament this past Saturday.

• The JV finished the day with a record of 4-0 defeating Carmi-White County in the championship match by the score of 25-21, 25-14.
• To get to the championship match, our Patriots had to defeat Murphysboro, a team that had already beaten them twice in the season. With consistent play, improved blocking, and tenacious defense, Massac defeated the Red Devils 21-18, 21-13.
• This is the first time in school history Massac has won the West Frankfort JV tournament.

WIN- Anna Jonesboro

• On senior night, Massac remained perfect at home for the 2013 season winning 25-23, 25-17 over the Wildcats.
• And the seniors were great!
• Rachael Leek tossed out 20 assists to go along with her 7 service points, and 3 digs.
• Alyssa Logeman was also perfect from the service line and picked up an assist on 4/4 setting.
• Offensively, Emily Hoard and Christina Whitthorne combined for a remarkable 24 kills.
• The Lady Patriots completed their 2013 season without dropping a match at home and have not lost a home match since the 2011 season!

WIN- Crab Orchard

• In a match-up of conference champions, our Pats defeated Crab Orchard (24-2) by the score of 26-24, 25-18.
• Massac dominated net play as Hoard and Whitthorne combined for 22 kills.
• The Lady Patriot front row also picked up 8 blocks in the match with Laken Hoyer scoring 2 points off block.
• Setter Rachael Leek tallied 20 assists in the match.
• Rachel Chapman and Jordan Willmes combined for 18 digs. Whitthorne also contributed 8 digs on 10 passes.
• Josie Garduno and Summer Smallman led the way from the service line scoring 7 and 6 points respectively.

Fairfield Mule Mash Invitational Champions

WIN- Martinsville

• (Christina Whitthorne served up a game-high 13 service points as Massac won 25-22, 25-15)

WIN- Flora

• (Chapman and Willmes combined for 16 digs on 18/19 passing as Massac won 25-16, 25-19)

WIN- Grayville

• (Emily Hoard connected on 13 kills without a hitting error to fuel a 25-15, 25-19 Massac win)

WIN- Mt. Vernon

• (Digging! And a lot of it: Willmes-16, Whitthorne-13, Chapman-12. Massac won 25-22, 23-25, 15-6)

WIN- Fairfield

• (It was "No soup for you!" as Massac blocked 14 Fairfield attacks winning 25-14, 25-20)

• Congratulations to Emily Hoard for being named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player.
• Congratulations also goes to Rachael Leek who was also named to the All Tournament team.
• Statistical notes from the tournament are as follows:
  • Emily Hoard- 60 kills
  • Rachael Leek- 86 assists
  • Jordan Willmes- 61 digs
  • Christina Whitthorne- 38 service points
  • Josie Garduno- 22 digs, 11 assists
  • Rachel Chapman- 34 digs
  • Laken Hoyer- 25 service points
  • Kristina Miller- 16 total blocks
  • Alexxus Thompson- 6 kills, 7 total blocks
  • Alyssa Logeman- 2/2 serving, 1 assist
  • Krista Garduno- 2 digs, 1 assist
  • Taylor Stephens- 3 kills
  • Taylor Stoner- 3 digs
  • Caroline Thompson- 2 kills, 7 digs, 2 assists

WIN- Marion (Regional)

• In the 2nd round of the regional, Massac overcame a 3-set battle with the hosts winning 25-22, 22-25, 25-20.
• Christina Whitthorne and Emily Hoard combined for 33 kills on the night with only 4 hitting errors!
• Jordan Willmes led Massac with 15 digs and 11 service points.
• Josie Garduno also picked up 13 digs defensively.
• Rachael Leek dished out 34 assists on the night.
• Sophomores Laken Hoyer and Alexxus Thompson both pitched in much needed stuff blocks in the 3rd set to give their team an edge at the net.

Article from the Marion Daily Republican: Marion Daily Republican Article

Article from the Southern Illinoisan: Southern Illinoisan Article

WIN- Murphysboro (Regional Championship)

• In the regional championship, the Lady Patriots shined brightest on the biggest stage winning 25-19, 25-13.
• In front of a great Massac student section, it was the Lady Pats' DEFENSE that set the tone in the match.
• Hoard, Willmes, Chapman, Whitthorne, and Leek each picked up at least 6 digs in the win.
• Helping at the net was Sophomore Alexxus Thompson who tallied 6 big blocks- 3 producing points.
• Serving was also key in the win as Whitthorne, Josie Garduno, and Summer Smallman recorded 6 or more service points.
• Rachael Leek connected with 23 assists in the match with 15 kills going to Emily Hoard.
• This is the school's 2nd ever Regional Title. (the first was in 2008)

Article from the Southern Illinoisan: Southern Illinoisan Article

LOSS- Mascoutah (Sectional Semi-final)

• In the sectional, the Mascoutah Indians had a bit too much fire power winning a 3-setter 23-25, 25-22, 25-21.
• But Massac's defense was fantastic in the match as 5 players recorded at least 7 digs.
• Rachel Chapman led the defensive effort recording a career high 18 digs!
• Jordan Willmes (14), Josie Garduno (11), Emily Hoard (8), and Christina Whitthorne (7) also played fantastic.
• In her last high school match, Rachael Leek recorded a team-high 21 assists, 10 service points, and 4 aces.
• Offensively, Christina Whitthorne and Emily Hoard led the attack tallying 12 and 11 kills respectively.

Article from the Southern Illinoisan: Sectional Article from the Southern

Article from the Belleville News Democrat: Sectional Article

Picture from the St. Louis Post Dispatch: Pictures from Sectional vs Mascoutah

Up next for the Lady Pats: Our end of the season volleyball banquet is to be announced.

Meet the Lady Patriots- 2013 edition

Varsity Junior Varsity Freshman

Rachael Leek Kristina Miller Mollie Fisher

Alyssa Logeman Josie Garduno Sierra King

Emily Hoard Krista Garduno Taylor Stoner

Jordan Willmes Laken Hoyer Caroline Thompson

Christina Whitthorne Alexxus Thompson Lakin Smith

Rachel Chapman Courtney Bremer Summer Smallman

Kristina Miller Taylor Stephens Jaden Fitzpatrick

Krista Garduno Sierra Patrick Grace Bellamey

Josie Garduno Emily Reed Julie Garduno

Laken Hoyer Sierra King Carly Groff

Alexxus Thompson Mollie Fisher Anna Wiley

Taylor Stephens Caroline Thompson

Mollie Fisher Taylor Stoner

Taylor Stoner Summer Smallman

Caroline Thompson

Summer Smallman

The Massac summer volleyball slate included six tournaments:

The varsity finished with a record of 25-6.

• Crab Orchard: June 13 - 14

RESULT: 11 - 1 Tournament Champions

• Ballard Memorial: June 18

RESULT: 4 - 0 Tournament Champions

• New Athens: June 21

RESULT: 4 - 2

• Fairfield: July 9

RESULT: 2 - 2

• Carbondale Freshman Tournament: July 11

RESULT: 2 - 0

• Fairfield: July 16

RESULT: 4 - 1 Silver Division champions

For more information, please contact Coach Miller at zmiller@massac.org