Bobcats Volleyball Takes a Win Against the Chargers

By Dennis Bowling

Beecher Coach Kristin Payne was in a bit of a jam against Illinois Lutheran, when Payne turned to seniors Lily Avelar and Lola Eckhardt, who each made clutch serving plays that helped them turn the feisty Chargers away on September 23.

Avelar, an outside hitter, served five straight service points to help win the first game of the match. Eckhardt, a middle hitter, served 14 straight service points to help win the second game and the match. Beecher beat Illinois Lutheran, 25-16, 25-8, in a River Valley Conference contest in Crete.

With the win, the Bobcats are 8-4 overall and are in first place in the RVC, with a perfect 7-0 mark. The Chargers fall to 5-12, 2-5.

“Lily was just all over the court,” said a happy Payne. “Her serving was great, and she was just digging everything. Lola, on the other hand, was consistent with her play and is a great zone server.”

In the second game of the match, Beecher was clinging to a 5-4 lead. The Bobcats were able to slowly pull away from the Chargers. An Avelar smash made the score 6-4. Then, Avelar served three straight service points for a 9-4 advantage.

Eckhardt took over and added a cross court kill, which made the score 10-4. She served an impressive 14 straight service points for a very comfortable 24-5 lead. Along the way, Abby Schrimsher had three kills, Elena Kvasnicka added two kills, while Emma Tiltges had one kill for the Bobcats.

“I did very well,” said an excited Eckhardt. “My serving performance boosted my confidence, as my serving had been inconsistent. I was able to pick apart their serve receive.”

“Lily always tries so hard,” she continued. “She always has great serves.”

In the first game of the match, Beecher had a 16-10 lead. Avelar blasted a kill to make it 17-10. Avelar served five straight service points for a commanding 22-10 advantage, which led to the lopsided win.

“We just had to close them out,” said Avelar, who finished with nine service points and five kills. “They are a good team. Lola is a consistent server. We can always count on her. Kayla (Eickmann) is a very consistent setter and is able to get the ball to our hitters.”

Bobcats seniors Eickmann and Bri Schrimsher, both setters, each had 10 good sets.

“Kayla and Bri each work well with any pass.,” said Payne. “They were able to get the ball to our hitters.”

“The favorite part of my setting is just watching my teammates kill the ball,” said Eickmann. “We communicate well on the court. Lily is a very good server, and Abby (Sippel) is a great passer.”

Senior Abby Sippel, a softball and volleyball standout, who also is a libero, had 10 good passes.

Charger senior Zoe Biesterfeld, an outside hitter, finished with six kills.

“Zoe is our offensive player,” said Illinois Lutheran Coach Ruth Junker. “She is a very good passer. Beecher has some great hitters and servers. They are strong all the way around.”