Prep Volleyball: Splitting Hairs

Murphysboro grabbed at least a share of its 11th SIRR Ohio championship in the past 14 seasons by taking down Harrisburg in two sets, 25-16, 25-16.

After falling behind 12-6 in the first set, HHS rallied and scored the next six points to draw even.

But the Red Devils would go on to score the next nine points to put the game on ice.

In the second game, HHS jumped in front 9-5, but then saw Murphysboro rally to jump in front 14-10.

"When we get a team across the net that we haven't beat yet, that we know is a good, quality team, we play kind of timid, back off and make silly errors," said Harrisburg coach Heather Cox. "We don't really have anyone that really steps up and tries to compete yet. We are just not in that mindset."

Bryleigh Buchanan had eight kills and two blocks for Harrisburg. Teammate Matty Hawkins added four kills and one block.

The two clubs could potentially meet again in the Benton 3A regional final Oct. 27. Murphysboro is the top-seed in the regional which feeds into a sectional at Mascoutah.

Harrisburg has a regional quarterfinal matchup with West Frankfort Oct. 24 and would then take on Carbondale in the regional semifinals before another possible meeting with Murphysboro.

Harrisburg travels to Herrin Thursday before closing the regular season by hosting Anna-Jonesboro next Wednesday.

Murphysboro (22-4, 8-0) hosts Benton Thursday.

Murphysboro swept both the freshman and JV matches in two games.

On Monday, Harrisburg swept West Frankfort in another Southern Illinois River-to-River Conference Ohio Division showdown, winning in straight sets 25-9 and 25-17, in what was preview of the first round of the upcoming IHSA Class 3A Regionals.

Bryleigh Buchanan finished the night with two aces, seven kills, and eight blocks. Matty Hawkins had five kills and four blocks. Jessica Schwartz had 13 assists and Devin Butler had eight assists.

"Overall we played very well the first game," Cox said. "We communicated well and passed well which let us run our offense. The second game we got a little sloppy, but finished it out to put us at 5-3 for the Conference and 18-13 over all."