Close matches highlight SJO volleyball’s opening week

The results of the first week of the season don’t determine how the rest of a two-month season will play out.

Coach Abby McDonald’s St. Joseph-Ogden High School volleyball program has a track record of success, notably with a Class 2A state runner-up finish in 2016 and a third-place finish in 2A in 2019.

This year’s Spartans are trying to piece together their first win streak of the young season entering Monday’s home nonconference match against St. Teresa.

Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin defeated SJO 25-14, 21-25, 25-18 this past Thursday night in St. Joseph, with the Spartans sweeping Georgetown-Ridge Farm 25-8, 25-20 last Wednesday night at home and Maroa-Forsyth handing SJO a 26-24, 24-26, 25-17 home loss to open the season on Aug. 22.

Addie Roesch powered SJO (1-2) against G-RF with nine kills, while Peyton Williams and Shayne Immke each had five kills.

Taylor Hug (20 assists) and Sadie Ericksen (seven digs) also chipped in during the win against G-RF.

In the season opener against Maroa-Forsyth, Immke contributed 12 kills and six digs, while Hug had a double-double of 26 assists and 12 digs. Williams also contributed with six kills and three digs.

After Monday night’s home match with St. Teresa, slated for a 7 p.m. start, the Spartans hit the road to play at Mahomet-Seymour at 7 p.m. on Tuesday and are then back home at 7 p.m. on Thursday against Teutopolis.

SJO will hit the road again next Saturday, traveling to Mattoon for the day-long Mattoon Tournament. The Spartans are set to play five matches at the tournament, with pool-play matches against Pana (9 a.m.), Mt. Vernon (11 a.m.) and Mattoon (noon) before bracket play begins in the afternoon. Monticello, Neoga, Taylorville and Warrensburg-Latham are the other teams that will compete at the Mattoon Tournament.