East Peoria, Ill. - A must-win in the regular season finale on Wednesday had the ICC Volleyball team (27-14, 10-1) playing host to Lincoln Land (24-17, 8-3). Needing a win to host districts, the Cougars got just that, holding on for a four-set win against the Loggers. 

Set One: ICC, 25-22
It seemed like an even match to start. A soft touch sent over by Ashlyn Mool put ICC ahead by a slim 5-3 margin, but it was enough for the Loggers to call a timeout. The timeout did not give much of a momentum-stopper to the Cougars, as ICC kept the lead from there. A double block on the left side from Gracie Schultz and Summer Sheley made it 20-16. Lincoln Land would be called for a double contact on the next point, and they would have to resort to their final timeout of the set, down 21-16. Meanwhile, the Loggers were able to get within 23-20 on a kill from the right side. A block attempt from the Cougars slid out for a Logger point to make it 23-21. Now it was ICC that had to call time and regroup. Hannah Alvey was able to slide an attack through the Lincoln Land block to get it to set point. It would be another double contact from the Loggers that ended the set, with ICC taking the opener, 25-22. 

Set Two: Lincoln Land, 22-25
The visitors would get off to a hot start for the second set, with a right side kill adding up to a 3-0 lead. The Cougars were not able to tie it up until Raquel Frakes got a block down on the right side for a point to make it 7-7. An attack from Gracie Schultz out of the middle found the back row with no Logger near it, and the kill put ICC ahead 13-11, drawing a timeout from Lincoln Land. This time, the timeout worked. The Loggers went on a 3-0 run again, capped by a big kill on the right side that deflected off a beam atop Ramsey Gym and down hard to the floor to give the lead back, 14-13. An ICC attack error would put Lincoln Land up 17-15. Feeling perhaps a true momentum shift that could decide the set, coach Tracy Heffren called the timeout. Despite the break in the action, the Loggers were still the first team to 20, when a Cougar service error created a 20-17 score. Lincoln Land was able to work it to set point, but not without a late push from ICC. The Cougars drew net contact from Lincoln Land to get to 24-20. Ashlyn Mool was ready for a block in the middle to make it 24-22. That's where the run wrapped, as the Loggers wound up for a big swing and a kill on the left to end the set at 22-25. 

Set Three: ICC, 25-17
An attack error from Lincoln Land in the early-going gave ICC a 9-4 lead and forced a timeout. They would keep that run going, with a Raquel Frakes kill putting them up 15-6. Gracie Schultz would get a block just to the left side and the Cougars were in control with a double digit lead, 16-6. It wouldn't be until the Cougars clipped a left side attack in the back row that Lincoln Land would score. That clip made it 19-7. Perhaps the theme for the night, other than the costumes sported by the students in attendance, was late pushes from the teams trailing that particular set. From that 19-6 score, the Loggers would charge to a quality run the rest of the set. Of note, ICC even got the score up to 20-7. After that, it went 10-5 Lincoln Land. The Loggers would close their set scoring on a successful block at the middle to make it 23-17. In the end, it was the only set all night that either team could not get to 20 points. 

Set Four: ICC, 28-26
Even if the match didn't go the full five sets, what ended up being the finale proved that the night would not be done without one last exciting and close set. A serve from Hannah Alvey found the Loggers' back row untouched for an ace and a 7-4 lead, forcing another timeout to be called. Lincoln Land would return the favor, getting an ace of their own, tying it up at nine points apiece. An attack from the Lincoln Land left side was very close to being in, but both the up official and that side's line judge had it out, and the Cougars would go up 18-14. Normally, the first team to 20 generally has a fair amount of control. Not so much when it was 19-19. An ICC attack error did make Lincoln Land that team, but that was effectively just the beginning. They would also be the first team to get to set point, going up 24-22 on a kill. The Cougars would tie it right back up on an over-dig, 24-24. Attack error. 25-24. Match point. Not so fast. The Loggers countered with a block to get set point again, up 26-25. A second touch for Lincoln Land was not as intended, and as a result, they were unable to get it over without it going out - 26-all. A kill from Raquel Frakes made it 27-26. Match point. Again. It was on this point that an attack error came in for the Loggers from the right side to end the set at 28-26 and the match at 3-1. 

What This Match Means
With the win, ICC finishes their Region 24 schedule with a (10-1) record, clinching second place and thus the ability to host their half of the District Tournament, which is "Central B". Although the teams are currently undetermined with the full region slate unfinished, the date is known. Fans can pack Ramsey Gym on Saturday, November 6th for a "BLUE OUT" of Ramsey Gym. Anticipated first serve times are Noon and 2pm for the semifinals, and 4pm for the District Championship. It will be relayed to the public if those change. 

Thank You, Sophomores
Wednesday's match was also Sophomore Night, with ICC Athletics honoring sophomores Jasmine Nickerson, Halle Peterson, Hope Allen, Brooke Ely, Lacy Pilgrim, Ashlyn Mool, and Hannah Alvey in a pre-match ceremony. 

Statistical Leaders vs. Lincoln Land
Cougars won, 3-1 (25-22, 22-25, 25-17, 28-26)
Kills | Gracie Schultz (12)
Digs | Hope Allen (22), Hannah Alvey (10)
Assists | Brooke Ely (22), Lacy Pilgrim (21)
Aces | Brooke Ely (3)
Blocks | Gracie Schultz (6), Hannah Alvey (5)

Next Up:
District "Central B" Semifinal
BLUE OUT
@ Ramsey Gym - East Peoria, Ill.
ICC Cougars (27-14)
vs. TBA
12:00 PM or 2:00 PM First Serve
Watch Live
In-Match Updates