By Deren Kudeki
Gargoyle staff reporter
Posted Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2006, The OG, sports

URBANA — After three straight conference losses, the girls varsity volleyball team rebounded Tuesday to defeat Judah Christian 25-16, 25-11 at Kenney Gym.

The win raises the Illineks to 7-12 overall and 4-3 in the East Central Illinois Conference.

At this time last year, the team was 6-6 en route to a school record 14 wins. So despite its current losing record, the 2006 squad is still on pace to equal or break last year's mark.

“The game went OK, and everyone played adequately, but it definitely wasn't our best performance,” said sophomore Rachel Skoza.

Junior Claire Johnson led the way Tuesday with five kills, followed by sophomore Jessi Sullivan and senior Mandy Grill with four kills each.

Grill racked up six aces; Sullivan and junior Jamie Weiser recorded three each.

Junior Ruthie Welch contributed eight assists, followed by sophomore Sherri Grill with five. Johnson and Sherri Grill each had one block. Weiser and Mandy Grill both had six digs, followed by Sullivan with four.

In JV action, Uni beat Judah Christian 25-27, 25-23, 15-12.

On Friday the Illineks will face Buckley Christ Lutheran in a road match.

VARSITY RECORD: 7-12 overall, 4-3 ECIC
(Home matches in bold)
Aug. 31: Oakwood, L 11-25, 23-25
Sept. 2: Atwood-Hammond (at Deland-Weldon Eagle Classic), L 23-25, 25-18, 9-15
Sept. 2: LeRoy (at Deland-Weldon Eagle Classic), W 25-13, 22-25, 15-10
Sept. 2: South Fork (at Deland-Weldon Eagle Classic), L (game scores to be posted)
Sept. 2: Rockford Keith (at Deland-Weldon Eagle Classic), L 9-25, 17-25
Sept. 2: Lovington (at Deland-Weldon Eagle Classic), L 20-25, 9-25
Sept. 5: Buckley Christ Lutheran,* W 25-12, 25-22
Sept. 8: Decatur Christian,* W 25-5, 25-23
Sept. 9: Westville (at Westville Invitational), L 25-17, 10-25, 11-25
Sept. 9: Georgetown-Ridge Farm (at Westville Invitational), W 25-14, 25-15
Sept. 9: Heritage (at Westville Invitational), L 23-25, 21-25
Sept. 9: Salt Fork (at Westville Invitational), L 25-10, 21-25, 25-27
Sept. 11: St. Thomas More, L 25-16, 17-25, 9-25
Sept. 12: at Normal Calvary Baptist,* W 25-20, 21-25, 25-23
Sept. 14: Fisher, W 25-23, 25-22

Sept. 15: at Deland-Weldon,* L 25-17, 20-25, 22-25
Sept. 18: Normal Calvary Baptist,* L 24-26, 25-15, 23-25
Sept. 22: Decatur Lutheran,* L 16-25, 13-25
Sept. 26: Judah Christian,* W 25-16, 25-11
*East Central Illinois Conference opponent