LOYAL. LOCAL. COMPLETE.
TUSCOLA – Boasting a record of 22-1, the Mayo Redbirds seventh-grade volleyball team is one match away from an IESA 3A Sectional berth. Their only obstacle? The top-seed Shelbyville-Moulton Rams.
The Redbirds’ regional championship showdown is slated for Thursday, Feb. 29 at 6 p.m. The game will be played at Tuscola East Prairie Middle School at 409 South Prairie.
Mayo’s eighth-grade squad (17-1) will hope to replicate the postseason success of their younger teammates when they open regional play on Tuesday, March 5. They claimed the top seed in their region, earning a first-round bye and a showdown with the winner of a 4-5 matchup between Georgetown Mary Miller and Shelbyville Moulton.
Mayo 2, Arthur 1
In a hotly contested semifinal match, the Redbirds outlasted Arthur 25-16, 26-28, 25-18. Extra points were required to settle the second set, which went to Arthur. The Redbirds bounced back in the final set, punching their ticket to Thursday’s regional championship.
As with any playoff victory, Mayo’s success came as the result of a coordinated team effort. Leah Sanders recorded a team-high 8 aces, 2 kills and a block. Hellie Barrett netted 7 aces to complement 2 kills of her own. At the net, Maddox Adams sent 5 kills to the deck, accompanying 2 aces, while Ava Tarr recorded 4 kills and 3 aces.
Sloan Vilk provided a well-rounded performance in the win with 4 aces, a kill and a block. Krysten McNulty (1 ace) and Mackenzie Pearson (1 kill) rounded out the Redbird attack.
Mayo 2, Tolono Unity 0
Coach Josh Frank and the Redbirds kicked off regional play with a dominant win over Tolono Unity, sweeping the Rockets 25-17, 25-6 in straight sets. After a competitive first set, the Redbirds rolled to a 19-point win in set two and a regional semifinal berth.
Sloan Vilk had a career day, recording 10 aces to accompany 1 kill. Hellie Barrett supplemented Vilk’s performance with 6 aces of her own along with 2 kills.
Maddox Adams recorded 3 aces and Ava Tarr tallied 2 aces and a kill.
At the net, Leah Sanders asserted herself, racking up 5 kills on the night.