Marshall Edges Lady Warriors in Thrilling Senior Night Matchup

Featured image caption: On her Senior Night, Madi Gelb rises up and powers through the Marshall defense for a resounding kill to score a point for the Lady Warriors. —photo by Terri Cox

CASEY, IL. – The Casey-Westfield Lady Warriors hosted cross-county rival Marshall on Thursday night for a Little Illini Conference matchup that also served as the team’s emotional Senior Night and annual Volley For The Cure event. Despite a valiant effort, the Lady Warriors fell to the Lady Lions in two tightly contested sets.

The evening began with a hard-fought junior varsity match, where the young Lady Warriors ultimately dropped the contest to Marshall in three sets.

As part of the festivities, a spirited 10-minute Alumni Game was played prior to the varsity contest, featuring many former Lady Warriors and Lady Lions. In a fun and competitive showing, the Casey-Westfield alumni secured a 16-14 victory.

The varsity match was a back-and-forth affair from the opening serve, with multiple lead changes keeping the crowd engaged. The first set required extra points to decide a winner, with Marshall eventually taking a 26-24 win. The second set was nearly a mirror image of the first, as the two teams battled point for point. In the end, the Lady Lions knocked down the final point to claim the set 25-23 and seal the conference victory.

Senior Night

Prior to the start of their final regular-season home game, the three Lady Warrior seniors—Ava Goble, Madi Gelb, and Lucy Moore—were honored along with their parents for their dedication and contributions to the program.

Game Summary

Score by Sets

Individual Statistics

Aces:

• Hannah Schackman – 3

• Ava Goble – 2

• Anna Karras – 1

• Madelynn Norton – 1

• Josie Smith – 1

Kills:

• Hannah Schackman – 9

• Lucy Moore – 5

• Madi Gelb – 4

• Anna Karras – 4

• Madelynn Norton – 2

Blocks:

• Lucy Moore – 3

Assists:

• Madelynn Norton – 11

• Haley Schackman – 9

Digs:

• Hannah Schackman – 10

• Ava Goble – 8

• Madelynn Norton – 7

Senior Lucy Moore reacts quickly at the net, putting down a kill off a quick set for a key Casey-Westfield point. —photo by Terri Cox

Senior Lucy Moore and teammate Anna Karras combine at the net for a formidable block against a Marshall attack. —photo by Terri Cox

Senior Ava Goble, honored during the pre-game Senior Night festivities, makes a solid first pass to start the offense for the Lady Warriors. —photo by Terri Cox

Emilee Lieser puts up a set during the pre-varsity Alumni Game festivities. —photo by Terri Cox

Casey-Westfield alumni Mallory Foster makes a pass to teammate Cara Shoaff during the spirited Alumni Game on Thursday night. —photo by Terri Cox

In the pre-game Alumni Match, former Lady Warrior Ashton Jones serves up an ace, helping lead the CW alumni to a 16-14 victory. —photo by Terri Cox

Madison Hanley rises up and delivers a kill for the Lady Warriors during the three-set junior varsity match against Marshall. —photo by Terri Cox

Kennady Fuller finds an open spot on the floor, tipping the ball over the Marshall blockers for a point in the junior varsity game. —photo by Terri Cox

Casey-Westfield’s Josie Smith sends a powerful serve over the net for an ace during the junior varsity match. —photo by Terri Cox

During the junior varsity contest, Chloe Taylor sets the ball for the Lady Warrior offense. —photo by Terri Cox

The Casey-Westfield student section shows its support, decked out in pink for the annual Volley For The Cure event during Thursday’s matchup against Marshall. —photo by Terri Cox