A-J volleyball team wins regional title

<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Anna-Jonesboro made a run in the final match to defeat Carmi-White County and win the Johnston City Class 2A regional in high school girls’ volleyball Thursday, Oct. 29.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">“We came back in that third match,” A-J volleyball coach Amy Fitzgerald-Wilson said. “We just had to get refocused.”</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">The Lady Wildcats won the first match 25-17. The Lady Bulldogs bounced back to win the second match 25-22. A-J came out on top 25-12 to claim the regional title in the final match victory.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">It was the fourth regional title for Fitzgerald-Wilson, who is in her 8th year as head coach of the Lady Wildcats.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">A-J, the defending Southern Illinois River-to-River Conference Mississippi Division winner, was to have played Trico Tuesday at the  Class 2A Nashville sectional. </span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Trico won the Red Bud Class 2A Regional with  25-22 and a 25-22 victory over Waterloo Gibault.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">A-J went into the sectional this week with a 19-12 overall record.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">“I’m just really proud of them,” Fitzgerald-Wilson said. “It’s been our goal all season to win the regional.” </span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">A-J advanced by defeating host Johnston City in opening round action of the Lady Indians Class 2A regional Tuesday, Oct. 27.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1"><strong>A-J 25-17-25, Carmi-White County 17-25-12:</strong> Jamie Hammond had 14 kills, 5 block assists, 2 blocks and 2 digs to lead the Lady Wildcats to the championship of the Johnston City Class 2A regional.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Elle Basler had 14 digs and 8 kills. Jamie Hammond had 14 kills, 5 block assists, 2 blocks and 2 digs.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Madi Bigler had 9 digs, 2 kills and an ace. Madeline Mayo had 13 digs.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Jasmine Foster had 10 digs and an ace. Madison Calhoun had 8 digs.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Brooke Miller had 7 digs, 2 aces and a kill. Mackenzie Boget had 5 digs, 2 kills, 2 aces and 2 block assists.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Hannah Reach had 3 kills, 3 block assists and 2 blocks.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1"><strong>A-J 25-25, Johnston City 14-13:</strong> Basler had 14 digs, 3 aces, 2 kills, 2 block assists and a block to lead the Lady Wildcats to the win in opening round action of the Johnston City Class 2A regional.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Mayo had 11 digs. Bigler had 8 digs and 4 kills. Foster had 8 digs and an ace.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Hammond had 7 kills, 2 block assists, one block and a dig. Miller had 4 kills, 3 digs and an ace.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Boget had 2 block assists, a block and a kill. Reach had 2 kills, a block and a block assist. Calhoun had 2 digs. </span></p>

<p class="p1">The Anna-Jonesboro Community High School Lady Wildcat volleyball team defeated Carmi-White County Thursday night, Oct. 29, to win an Illinois High School Association Class 2 regional championship. A-J defeated Carmi-White County in three sets to claim the regional title. The Lady Wildcats advanced to the championship by defeating regional host Johnston City in two sets on Tuesday night, Oct. 27. With the regional title in hand, A-J advanced to the Nashville sectional. The Lady Wildcats were scheduled to play Tri-Co Tuesday night in first-round action at the sectional. Members of the regional champion Lady Wildcat squad are, in the first row, from left, Brayden Fitzgerald-Deener, Madi Bigler, Maddie Mayo, Aliah Delgado and Jasmin Foster. In the second row are Elle Basler, Kenzie Boget, Ashley Oliver, Morgan Dillow, Jamie Hammond, Brooke Miller, Hannah Reach, Madison Calhoun and Livi Hess. The Lady Wildcats are coached by Amy Fitzgerald-Wilson and Erin Martin. </p>