VUVB picks up two strong wins Friday over Lake Land and John Wood

MATTOON, Ill. – The Trailblazer volleyball team extended their winning streak to three matches after picking up two wins in back-to-back matches against host Lake Land and John Wood Friday evening.

VU's first win of the day came in a five-set thriller against Region 24 opponent Lake Land College.

After the Trailblazers took set one, 25-19, Lake Land responded on their home floor, taking sets two and three 25-21 and 25-19.

With their backs against the wall, the Trailblazers began their comeback by taking set four 25-19 to force a winner take all fifth set.

VU took set five and the match, 15-10.

Vincennes was led offensively by Breanna Metzger and Jamie Russell. Metzger finished the first match of the day with 15 points, 12 kills and four block assists.

Russell followed closely behind with 14 points on 10 kills, one solo block and six block assists.

Emile Cornelson finished the first match with 10 points, five kills, 2 solo blocks and six block assists.

Grace Earp and Amee Beedle led the Blazers in digs with Earp finishing with 16 digs and Beedle ending with seven points, six kills, two block assists and 15 digs.

VU offensively was again set up by setter Savannah Grimes who finished with 33 set assists, 11 digs and 2 kills.

"This was a great comeback win for us," VU head coach Gary Sien said. "We discussed this could go multiple sets, which we have not had before in this season. Being down 2-1 in sets in someone else's gym in a Region match is never an ideal situation."

"Credit should be given to our four sophomore, Savannah Grimes, Breanna Metzger, Olga Vasovic and Kacee Nicholson for their leadership and play in guiding us to this win," Sien added. "With so much youth this season, we took a big step in growing as a team with this win."

The Trailblazers then looked to continue their momentum against John Wood College.

VU took an extended set one 27-25.

Vincennes then continued to roll as the took sets two and three 25-18 and 25-22 to win their third match in a row and win their fourth and fifth consecutive sets on the day.

"We had very little time to celebrate the win in our first match as we faced a good squad from John Wood who is another Region 24 school who recently restarted their volleyball program after dropping it for a few years," Sien said. "We made a number of errors in the beginning, which kept us from getting any kind of rhythm. Overall we did enough to get the win in straight sets, which was a challenge if you look at the entirety of the day."

Anna Johnsey, Jamie Russell and Amee Beedle led the charge for VU against John Wood, with Johnsey finishing with seven kills, four block assists, five digs, one set assist and an ace.

Russell and Beedle tied for the team lead in kills with nine each, with Russell also adding six digs and two block assists and Beedle finishing with six digs and one block assist.

Savannah Grimes had another big game setting up the VU offense, ending with 27 set assists, eight digs, one kill and a block assist.

"Both matches stretched us in how far we can go and how well we can play," Sien added. "Today was our first back-to-back matches we played all year and for most of our freshmen this was their first match that went beyond three sets as Illinois high schools play best two out of three sets. Most importantly, this puts us at 2-0 in the Region. Our very tough schedule the first two weeks is all in preparation for this. Despite the many freshmen we have, they all understand how paramount these matches are."

Vincennes will return to the floor next Friday, Feb. 12 as the Trailblazers host Region 24 opponent Kaskaskia at 7 p.m. VU will then have a quick turnaround as the Blazers host Lincoln Land College Saturday, Feb. 13 at 1:30 p.m. eastern.

VINCENNES STATS

Lake Land  19  25  25  19  10

VU (4-3)  25  21  19  25  15

Kacee Nicholson – 6 digs, 1 set assist

Savannah Grimes – 2 points, 2 kills, 11 digs, 33 set assists

Amee Beedle – 7 points, 6 kills, 2 block assists, 15 digs

Emile Cornelson – 10 points, 5 kills, 2 solo blocks, 6 block assists

Anna Johnsey – 8 points, 1 ace, 5 kills, 6 block assists, 2 digs, 2 set assists

Breanna Metzger – 15 points, 1 ace, 12 kills, 4 block assists, 1 dig

Jamie Russell – 14 points, 10 kills, 1 solo block, 6 block assists, 1 dig

Grace Earp – 1 point, 1 ace, 16 digs, 1 set assist

Elizabeth Combs – 0.5 points, 1 block assist

Olga Vasovic – 10 digs

John Wood 25  18  22  x  x

VU (5-3)  27  25  25  x  x

Kacee Nicholson – 3 digs

Savannah Grimes – 1.5 points, 1 kill, 1 block assist, 8 digs, 27 set assists

Amee Beedle – 9.5 points, 9 kills, 1 block assist, 6 digs

Emile Cornelson – 3.5 points, 2 kills, 3 block assists, 2 digs

Anna Johnsey – 10 points, 1 ace, 7 kills, 4 block assists, 5 digs, 1 set assist

Breanna Metzger – 6.5 points, 6 kills, 1 block assist, 3 digs

Allyson Kuhl – 4 digs

Jamie Russell – 10 points, 9 kills, 2 block assists, 6 digs

Grace Earp – 8 digs

Elizabeth Combs – 2 points, 1 kill, 2 block assists

Olga Vasovic – 2 points, 2 aces, 4 digs