B.E. Gum was the site for the 3a volleyball sectionals. The opening game saw a battle of two powerhouses as Waterloo eliminated 30-win Effingham 25-20, 25-22. The Hearts got behind in both sets early and played catch up the rest of the way. The Lady Bulldogs advance to tomorrow’s finals when they get Mascoutah who dominated their way past Triad 25-18, 25-15.
In 4a, O’Fallon knocked off Belleville West in 3 sets to advance to the Normal Sectional Finals. They will play Normal West who knocked off Normal U-High in their semifinal.
In 1a at South Central it was Nokomis beating Father McGivney and Hardin Calhoun over Okawville. At Cobden, NCOE beat Sesser Valier and Edwards County knocked off Trico. At Tuscola, Windsor/Stew-Stras beat LeRoy and will play Heyworth in the finals after their win over Oblong.
In 2a, it will be a showdown of two of the state’s best teams playing for the Staunton Sectional Finals as Columbia eliminated Staunton and will take on the states #1 team and defending state champion Mater Dei who eliminated Carlinville. At Fairfield, Newton needed 3 sets to beat Pinckneyville and Carmi knocked off Massac County.