Despite struggling through the majority of their regular season, the Jacksonville Crimson volleyball team reached a climax in their performance after they competed in their regional-semifinals at Jerseyville where the 7th seed Crimsons swooped the entire competition and came out on top, defeating the almighty Sacred Heart Griffin.

To begin their regional-semifinals, the Crimsons were able to defeat Jerseyville in the first round, leading them to 7th seed going into the playoffs. Next, the Crimsons advanced onto regional finals where they were able to take a victory over fourth-seeded Roxana prior to defeating third-seeded Campaign Central later on in their sectional semifinals in three games. The Crimsons were able to take Roxana in three sets: 20-25, 25-22, 25-20. They also were able to defeat Champaign Central in three sets: 25-18, 16-25, 25-23. This game against Central in particular really exhibits just how much these ladies have been able to stand up in their performance on the court and shine, despite the high pressures. During the last set, the score was tied 23-23 when the Crimsons were able to take advantage of a passing error committed by Central and land a kill by Shae Upton for the winning match point. However,  the biggest upset of the day was when the Crimsons conquered 1st seed team SHG in just two sets: 25-20, 25-23. Being the 2016 IHSA 3A Regional Champions and the only CS8 volleyball team left standing, the Crimsons continued their “#ShockTheWorld Tour” to the sectional championship where they hoped to use their new momentum to continue their winning streak.

Unfortunately, when the Crimsons reached the 3A Mt. Zion sectional, they were defeated by Taylorville in straight sets. This marked the end of the 2016 Jacksonville High School girls’ varsity volleyball season. This year’s players have a lot to be proud of from where they were when they began their season to when they finished it.