Dixon High School - Dixonian Yearbook (Dixon, IL)

Page 16 text:

Awkward But Awesome Q Volleyball

Page 15 text:

Fall Sports

Page 17 text:

State Finalists For the first time in the history of Dixon High School sports, the volleyball Duchesses went to State. Their road to Springfield was rocky when they started their season with a disappointing loss to Oregon, but came back with three victories against the Newman. Mt. Morris, and E. Moline teams. A powerful Princeton squad halted their winning streak and the Duchesses began to lose confi- dence in their abilities. They went into their Invitational with a positive attitude, concentrated on working together, and finished a strong third. On a high note, after defeating Kewanee. arch rival Sterling. Hall Twp. the Duchesses went into the Dixon Regional realizing they had the capability of winning the tournament. And, that’s exactly what they didl The unanswered losses at the beginning of the season were avenged when the Duchesses swept the Regional by defeating LaSalle Peru and Princeton. From this point, the Duch- esses advanced to the Rockford (Guilford) Sectional and defeated two tough opponents, Belvidere and Rock Falls, both in three game matches. The smell of State was in the air. The Duchesses had to defeat Streator in Sterling’s Super-Sectional to advance to the Illinois State Finals. The Duchesses played a strong match and defeated Streator in two games. Dixon’s starting spikers Julie Baker, Diane Biggs. Sarah Collins, and Dee Russell had an average height of 5'H” and they used their height and strength to advantage by hitting ace spikes and block- ing opponents spikes. Setters Karen Dir and Chris Young consis- tently set to the spikers and with their help the girls worked together as a team. The other members of the team played a special part in the girls’ success because of their strong bench support and the coaching of Roberta Thompson and Kay Schrock. Row I. Chris Young. Julie Baker. Dayle Bridgeman. Lisa Bollman. Row 2. Coach Schrock. Sarah Collins. Karen Dir. Diane Biggs. Debbie Weidman. Cindy Miller. Melissa Mumford. Diane Renner. Dee Russell. Coach Thompson. A strong Oak Forest team was the first opponent the Duchesses encountered. Unfortunately. Dixon struggled and lost hopes of advancement. However, the prestige of earning a place in the Elite Eight’’ was an honor bestowed upon very few. At the end of the season Karen Dir was named to the First Team All-Conference, Diane Biggs. Second Team All- Conference, Sarah Collins, Honorable Mention, and Julie Baker, Dee Russell, and Chris Young received a Special Mention. Volleyball 13