VOLLEYBALL: Elverado earns second place at Z-R Tournament

The Lady Falcons went 3-1 at Saturday's Zeigler-Royalton Volleyball Tournament, beating all opponents except tourney champ Crab Orchard and landing two players on the all-tournament team - Emma Bigham and Allie Whittington.

The day started for Elverado with a 25-18, 25-21 win over Goreville. Tori Ehlers had six kills to lead EHS, Baylie McClanahan and Whittington each had three digs, and Bigham tallied six assists.

"Great to start the tournament off with a win," said Lady Falcons head coach Donette Wheatley. "They had trouble with our serves and we hit the ball well."

Crab Orchard, which finished 4-0 for the event, handled Elverado in straight sets in game number two, 25-15, 25-12. Ehlers again led kills with three, Bigham had four digs, McClanahan four assists.

"We ran into a road block," Wheatley said. "They had us on the defensive all match."

The Lady Falcons rebounded in strong fashion, defeating the host Lady Tornadoes 25-16, 25-14. Ehlers had eight kills, Ellie Winthrop added five. McClanahan had a team-high five assists. Whittington and Haily Falter each recorded a pair of digs, and Bigham fired off seven service aces.

"Emma and Tori both went on big serving runs and we played a ton of offense," said Wheatley.

Needing a win to wrap up second place, the Lady Falcons got one in their final match against Vienna, 26-24, 26-24. Ehlers had six kills, Winthrop had five. Whittington led digs with four. Bigham led assists with six. Ehlers also added three blocks.

"Another big win to take second in the tournament," Wheatley said. "Good evenly-matched game - we stayed loud and confident and pulled out the win."

"Overall the girls played well. Every player on the floor did her job."

The Lady Falcons (6-5, 3-0 in conference play) are at Du Quoin on Monday to take on the Lady Indians.