Chargers take title of Lady Suns Classic behind MVP effort of Bryan

AUGUSTA, Ill. — The championship bracket of the Lady Suns Classic showed competitive balance, which is why it took a tiebreaker to determine the champion.

The Illini West, Unity and Southeastern volleyball teams each completed the final day of play with a 1-1 record, but the Chargers won their first four matches of the tournament in straight sets while the Mustangs and Suns each had at least one three-set match in the mix. Thus, Illini West was crowned the tournament champion.

The Chargers beat Unity 25-19, 25-21 in their first match in the championship bracket as Josie Bryan and Madalyn Boyer each had nine kills. Corin Robinson had 11 assists, while Bryan had 10 assists and nine digs. Boyer added 10 digs, seven service points, three aces and two blocks, while Reagan Reed had eight service points, six kills and six digs.

In the championship finale, Illini West suffered its first loss of the season as Southeastern won 25-20, 20-25, 25-23.

Amanda Stephens led Southeastern with 29 kills and 12 assists, while Abigail Shaffer had 15 assists, 13 digs and five jills. Savannah Ramsey finished with 17 digs.

Bryan led the Chargers with 16 kills, 14 digs, 10 assists and 10 service points, while Kaelyn Ferrill had 21 digs. Reed had eight kills and Boyer finished with 15 digs and seven kills.

Bryan was named the tournament MVP.

In the other championship bracket match, Unity knocked off Southeastern 25-21, 15-25, 25-19. Stephens led the Suns with 15 kills, 14 digs and eight assists, while Shaffer had 19 assists, 16 digs and four kills. Kenzie Griswold added six kills.

The all-tournament team featured Bryan, Boyer, Ferrill and Reed from Illini West, Stephens and Shaffer from Southeastern, Unity’s Saylor Barry and Sophia Shaffer, Central’s Claire Huston, Brown County’s Ashlee Markert, Payson Seymour’s Hannah Bingaman, West Hancock’s Jordyn Climer, Liberty’s Maddy Gibbs, Rushville-Industry’s Devin Vogler and West Central’s Harlee Hainds.

Central finished the week 3-2 and took fourth place after winning a pair of matches Saturday. The Panthers beat West Hancock 25-19, 18-25, 15-7 and Payson 25-19, 25-15.