LLCC started Saturday of its own tournament with a four-set win over D-1 John A. Logan College with the first three sets being close most of the way before LLCC dominated in the fourth set 25-12. The story for the Loggers was sophomore Addie Patton who put together 8 blocks and 24 kills (with only a single error as a blemish which happened late in the fourth set). Patton's 24 kills ties the LLCC record for kills in a match.
"We didn't come out focused, so I was a bit upset," Coach Dietz said. "We gave Logan a lead in the first set and I thought it was because we weren't thinking about the match beforehand. Once that was squared away and we got the ball to the hot hitter, we did all right."
*******
LLCC played Columbus State in its second match of the day which produced two nailbiter sets, though the Loggers still prevailed to boost their record to 19-5. It was the first set which held the most tension as the Loggers took a 24-21 lead before a hitting error at 24-23 let CSCC tie the score and a follow-up swing into the net suddenly gave Columbus State set-point. The Loggers were able to hold off and had a few set-points of their own, but it was only at 31-30 that LLCC could finally put a winner down for a 32-30. In the second set, the two teams remained within two points of one another until 18-18 when the combination of Kiersten Anderson's serves with the hitting of freshman Bailey Rexroad sparked a seven point run for the 25-18 win, a run which continued into the final set which proved an easy 25-11 win for the Loggers.
"The lack of mental focus from the first match almost caught us. As soon as we were done playing Logan, we didn't think about Columbus. We relaxed, didn't warmup properly. Ultimately, that blames on me. Given our lack of focus for the first match, I should have known it would happen again. I blew it, but at least a win is win."
*****************
LLCC closed out the weekend with a barnburner against #9 Sauk Valley, winning in four sets, including a come-from-behind 33-31 victory in the second set. Other than the first set which the Loggers won in a blowout, the final three games saw the two teams within three points from start to finish. The Loggers were paced by Kiersten Anderson who had a personal-best 22 kills while Addie Patton finished her excellent weekend with another seven blocks and 13 kills.
"You got your money's worth on that one," Coach Dietz said afterwards. "Sauk plays hard from start to finish, they've got good hitters, and if you let up, they pounce. It was a great match because neither team did that. This time the odd plays went in our favor, unlike our match with Owens. Sports can be funny that way."
LLCC defeats John A Logan 25-18, 23-25, 25-21, 25-12
LLCC defeats Columbus State 32-30, 25-18, 25-11
LLCC defeats #9 Sauk Valley 25-14, 33-31, 22-25, 25-23
The Loggers improve to 20-5 on the year.
Lincoln Land has a week off before they get back on the court next Saturday, 10/14 @ Lincoln College for MWAC Tournament.
Match Stats:
Stats vs. Logan:
Digs: Marusic 17, Sabotka 14
Aces: Beekman, Jackson, Anderson 1
Blocks: Patton 8, Beekman 5, Soebbing 5
Assists: Anderson 24, Jackson 16
Kills: Patton 24, Edwards 8
Stats vs. Columbus
Digs: Beekman 19, Marusic 17
Aces: Beekman 3, Jackson 1
Blocks: Cunningham 2, Rexroad 1
Assists: Anderson 27, Jackson 15
Kills: Patton 14, Cunningham 9
Stats vs. Sauk
Digs: Marusic 20, Anderson 17
Aces: Edwards 3, Anderson 2
Blocks: Patton 7, Cunningham 4, Anderson 4
Assists: Jackson 31, Anderson 31
Kills: Anderson 22, Cunningham 15
