The Sparta Lady Bulldogs claimed another Trico volleyball tournament championship Thursday with a perfect 5-0 record.
“I’m very pleased with the way the girls have started to come together,” said Sparta coach Roger Gerlach. “They are playing more consistent in all phases of the game. I thought during the week we played at a higher level than we have during the early part of the season.”
Sparta began play by defeating Goreville in a three set match 19-21, 21-12, 21-17 last Tuesday.
After losing the first set, the Lady  Bulldogs responded by winning the next two behind the seven kills of Jessica Robinson. 
“We just persevered,” added Gerlach. “When it gets that ugly you just try and accentuate anything positive and hope for the best.”
On Wednesday evening, Sparta took on the host Trico Lady Pioneers and came away with a two-set win 21-15, 21-17. Robinson led the way with eight kills, while Gabby Gallois and Julian Sroka each added three kills. Taylor Craig was 11-for-11 serving with three aces while the team passed at a 1.38 mark.
No stats were available for Trico.
“It is so apparent that when we pass well we can compete,” said Gerlach. “That was a quality win on the road in this tourney. I’m very proud of the way we came back off of the not so good of performance the night before.”
In the nightcap on Wednesday, the Lady Bulldogs completed the sweep downing Chester in a two set match 21-11, 21-13. Gallois and Robinson combined for 15 kills and 13 blocks while the team passed at a 1.58 clip.
The loss dropped the Lady Jackets to 3-9 overall for the season.  Tiffani Marshall led the team with three blocks, an assist and six kills. Taylor Crum followed with four points, a kill and eight assists. Shelly Lyons contributed five digs.
On the final night of the tournament, Sparta and Steeleville squared off in what turned out to be the championship match with the Lady Bulldogs prevailing in a three set affair 15-21, 21-8, 21-15.
After dropping the first set, Sparta settled into a steady defensive pattern with good blocking at the net and consistent passing to take control of sets two and three. Robinson and Gallois led the steady net play with 16 combined kills. Jamie Woodworth, who was named tournament most valuable player, a first for a libero in tourney play, passed at a 1.7 clip to lead the passing side of the match.
Brooke Rees finished with nine kills to pace Steeleville, while Alex Gale added seven. Brooke Woods led the team with seven points, four aces and four assists.
Steeleville would go on to claim second in the tournament, while Trico finished in third place.
The all tournament team consisted of Woodworth as most valuable player, Jessica Robinson (Sparta), Tiffani Marshall (Chester), Kendra Goss (Marissa-Coulterville), Brooke Rees (Steeleville) and Beth Daniels (Trico).
In the nightcap, with tourney championship in hand, the Lady Bulldogs went on to defeat Marissa 21-16, 21-19 to go unbeaten in the three day affair. Taylor Craig had 12 service points in the match while Robinson added seven kills while Gallois chipped in with five.
In other tournament action:
Steeleville over Chester 21-18, 21-15
Steeleville improved to 4-0 in tournament play with a 21-18, 21-15 victory over Chester Thursday.
The Lady Warriors grabbed an early nine-point lead in set one to take control. Chester rallied with a late 5-0 run to come within one-point, down 19-18, but Steeleville scored the final two points for the first set win.
In set two, Steeleville once again grabbed an early lead, 10-2. This time, however, there would be no late run by Chester as the Lady Warriors cruised to the 21-15 victory.
Alex Gale had four kills and Brooke Rees added three kills and four blocks for Steeleville. Brooke Woods finished with eight points and three assists.
Taylor Crum came out big again for Chester with nine points, seven digs and five assists.  Tiffani Marshall added a pair of digs and two blocks.  Jordan Clendenin contributed one point and three digs, while Megan Marcinkowska recorded five points and had an ace.
Chester over Goreville 21-14, 21-18
The Lady Jackets got their fourth win of 2010 with a victory over Goreville Thursday. Chester won in two games, 21-14, 21-18 improving to 4-9 overall.
In set one, Chester trailed 14-11 but went on a 10-point run to win 21-14. Tiffani Marshall and Jordan Clendenin each had three kills over that stretch run.
Marshall had two late kills in set two to propel her team to a 21-18 victory.
Taylor Crum had a huge night for the Lady Jackets with six points, 13 digs and 14 assists, while Megan Marcinkowska knocked down 13 points and added four digs.  
Steeleville over Marissa-Coulterville 21-16, 22-20
Steeleville picked up an important two-set win, 21-16, 22-20, over Marissa-Coulterville last Wednesday to improve to 3-0 in tournament play.
“The girls came out tonight and made some mistakes, but are getting better at pulling themselves out of a hole,” said Steeleville coach Renee Rheinecker. “Our confidence is building with each game. Alex Gale and Brooke Rees were dominant at the net tonight and Brooke Woods did a great job of setting them up. I was very pleased despite having to change the line up before the game due to Sara Potter's foot injury.”
Rees and Gale each had four kills in the victory and Woods led the team with four assists.
Trico over Chester 18-21, 21-17, 21-15
Trico rallied from a first set loss to knock off Chester 18-21, 21-17, 21-15 last Tuesday night.
Megan Marcinkowska paced the Jackets with 10 service points, while Taylor Crum had 11 assists.  Tiffani Marshall led Chester at the net with 13 kills and 17 block attempts. Shelly Lyons was top on the dig category with 18. No stats were available for Trico.
Chester over Marissa-Coulterville 21-13, 24-22
Chester started off tournament play on the right foot with a two-set win over Marissa-Coulterville last Tuesday 21-13, 24-22.
Tiffani Marshall led the team with four kills, a dig, three blocks and an assist.  Taylor Marks led the team in made serves with seven and Taylor Crum led in good sets with 50 and assists with six. Shelly Lyons led in digs with three.
No Marissa-Coulterville stats were available.