Lady Warriors celebrate 21-win season, honor top performers at banquet

Spread the love

Feature photo caption: The Lady Warriors were well-represented on the Little Illini All-Conference roster following their 21-win season. Pictured are (from left) Second Team selection Ava Goble, Honorable Mention Anna Karras, and First Team selections Madi Gelb and Haley Schackmann.

—photo by Terri Cox | Casey Local Sports Reporter


by Terri Cox | Casey Local Sports Reporter

CASEY — The Casey-Westfield Lady Warrior volleyball program capped off a standout 2024 campaign with their annual awards banquet held at Richards Farm. Celebrating their most successful season in recent history, the team reflected on a 21-win year defined by cohesiveness and major individual milestones.

Head Coach Jess Daugherty addressed the gathering, highlighting the team’s impressive record and praising the strong chemistry that fueled their success on the court throughout the season.

The evening also served as a celebration of individual excellence, recognizing three players who reached significant career benchmarks during the year. Junior Haley Schackmann was honored for recording her 1,000th career assist, senior Madi Gelb celebrated her 500th career kill, and junior Anna Karras was recognized for tallying her 500th career dig.

The Lady Warriors were well-represented in the Little Illini Conference (LIC) postseason honors. Gelb and Schackmann both earned First Team All-Conference selections. Senior Ava Goble received Second Team honors, while Karras was named Honorable Mention. Additionally, Gelb was recognized for her success in the classroom as an LIC All-Academic selection.

Coach Daugherty also presented the internal team awards based on statistical leadership. Goble took home the Most Digs Award after recording 350 digs this season, while Gelb received the Top Kills Award for her 202 offensive strikes.

Schackmann swept the playmaking categories, earning the Assist Award with 450 assists and the Ace Award with 55 service aces. Lucy Moore was a double winner as well, receiving the Most Blocks Award for her 73 stops at the net, along with the coveted Warrior Award.

Season Summary

Little Illini Conference Awards

  • First Team: Madi Gelb, Haley Schackmann

  • Second Team: Ava Goble

  • Honorable Mention: Anna Karras

  • All-Academic: Madi Gelb

Team Awards & Statistics

  • WARRIOR AWARD: Lucy Moore

  • MOST DIGS: Ava Goble (350)

  • TOP KILLS: Madi Gelb (202)

  • ASSIST AWARD: Haley Schackmann (450)

  • ACE AWARD: Haley Schackmann (55)

  • MOST BLOCKS: Lucy Moore (73)

Career Milestones Achieved

  • Haley Schackmann: 1,000 Career Assists

  • Madi Gelb: 500 Career Kills

  • Anna Karras: 500 Career Digs

Lucy Moore was a double winner at the season-ending banquet. She received the Most Blocks Award after tallying 73 stops at the net and was also presented with the prestigious Warrior Award.
—photo by Terri Cox | Casey Local Sports Reporter

Madi Gelb received the Top Kills Award after leading the Casey-Westfield attack with 202 kills this season. The senior also celebrated a major milestone earlier in the year by recording her 500th career kill.
—photo by Terri Cox | Casey Local Sports Reporter

Senior Ava Goble was honored with the Most Digs Award at the annual banquet. Goble anchored the Lady Warriors’ defense throughout the successful 2024 campaign, recording 350 digs.
—photo by Terri Cox | Casey Local Sports Reporter

Junior setter Haley Schackmann took home hardware for her playmaking abilities, sweeping the offensive setup categories. She received the Assist Award with 450 assists on the season and the Ace Award with a team-high 55 service aces.
—photo by Terri Cox | Casey Local Sports Reporter

Excellence on and off the court: Senior Madi Gelb was recognized as the Little Illini Conference All-Academic selection for the Lady Warriors. Gelb also earned First Team All-Conference honors for her performance this season.
—photo by Terri Cox | Casey Local Sports Reporter

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

IL legislator: New public defender law adds costs, takes away local control

IL legislator: New public defender law adds costs, takes away local control

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new Illinois law creates a statewide office to address public defender staffing gaps, but critics...
Illinois quick hits: Midway Blitz arrests announced; call for veterans tributes

Illinois quick hits: Midway Blitz arrests announced; call for veterans tributes

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Midway Blitz arrests announced According to the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers have arrested several dangerous...
Casey Library.3

Casey Library Renews $90,000 CD at 4.15%, Reports on Financial Health

Casey Township Library Board of Trustees Meeting | August 7, 2025 Article Summary: The Casey Township Library Board of Trustees received a positive financial update, including the renewal of a...
Casey Lions Club

Patsy Phillips Wins annual Lions Club Raffle

Lions Club members Bob Dougherty and Bruce Brown present Patsy Phillips with an $18,000 check for winning the annual Lions Club Raffle. The winning ticket was drawn at the 37th...
Ryan Staley_5134

City Council Hires New Superintendent of Utilities

Ryan Staley, 2007 graduate of Casey-Westfield High School, was hired as the new Director of Public Works for the City of Casey to replace Shelby Biggs, who will retire in...
'Peacekeepers' reportedly commit Chicago crimes as Pritzker calls for more funding

‘Peacekeepers’ reportedly commit Chicago crimes as Pritzker calls for more funding

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson push for more community violence intervention funding from...
WATCH: Trump says sending National Guard to Chicago 'probably next'

WATCH: Trump says sending National Guard to Chicago ‘probably next’

By Andrew Rice | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) - President Donald Trump said Monday that Chicago is "probably next" to see the National Guard sent in...
Casey illinois library.1.logo graphic

Casey Library to Seek Third Bid for A/C Replacement; Friends of the Library Will Not Assist with Cost

Casey Township Library Board of Trustees Meeting | August 7, 2025 Article Summary: The Casey Township Library Board is seeking a third bid for a critical air conditioner replacement after...
Former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar dies

Former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar dies

By The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar died Sunday at the age of 79. Edgar, a Republican, served as governor from 1991...
EXCLUSIVE: Funding for green groups soared after 2009 endangerment finding, nonprofit finds

EXCLUSIVE: Funding for green groups soared after 2009 endangerment finding, nonprofit finds

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Changes to the Environmental Protection Agency's strict regulations on the automobile industry could cost nonprofit groups that reported a 267% funding bump in the years...
Comfort in the Hill Country: Crosses that point to Jesus, salvation, redemption

Comfort in the Hill Country: Crosses that point to Jesus, salvation, redemption

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Throughout the Hill Country, crosses, words of Jesus, prayers and messages of hope are written on memorials honoring nearly 150 killed from the catastrophic July...
Tech company wants federal government to reimagine training, hiring

Tech company wants federal government to reimagine training, hiring

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square A former top government official said the federal government has a rare chance to rethink how it hires and trains top talent amid an ongoing...
What are data centers and why do they matter?

What are data centers and why do they matter?

By Shirleen GuerraThe Center Square Data centers may not be visible to most Americans, but they are shaping everything from electricity use to how communities grow. These facilities house the...
richard-dunn-1757675121

Richard Livingston Dunn, 87

Richard Livingston Dunn, 87, of West Palm Beach, Florida, formerly of Redmon, Illinois, died September 3, 2025. He was born June 20, 1938, the son of Carroll Livingston and Viola...
Advocates look to state-based immigration programs

Advocates look to state-based immigration programs

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square As the Trump administration pursues its goal to engage in mass deportations across the country, immigration advocates and researchers are looking to state governments for...