Fulton, Bureau Valley meet for 1A regional title

Fulton and Bureau Valley will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday in the Class 1A regional final at St. Bede.

Both teams advanced by beating their semifinal opponents Wednesday in Peru. Fulton defeated St. Bede 25-19, 25-16. Bureau Valley beat Marquette 25-20, 25-17.

Fulton enters the final with a 30-5 record. The Steamers are on a 20-game winning streak. Bureau Valley has a 26-7-1 record and is on a 14-game winning streak.

St. Bede coach Nicole Trenka said her team started to watch too much of Fulton's play. She noted that the Steamers adjusted to St. Bede's net blocks. Trenka said her players were flat footed against a good opponent.

Fulton coach Stacy Germann said his team had to play solid offense. He stated that when Fulton gets a good set up to its big hitters, it is almost a guaranteed kill. Germann added that St. Bede made them work for the win.

Chloe Wilkin, a Southern Illinois recruit, led Fulton with key kills. Kerby Germann and Nora Kingery also contributed hard hits. Hannah Heiberger cut the deficit in the first set with a cross court kill, but Fulton closed the set with a tip shot from Wilkin.

In the second set, Zoe Kunau served an ace to help Fulton build an early lead. Peighton Stretton added an ace later in the set. Wilkin finished the match with a kill down the center of the court.

Bureau Valley coach Saige Oleson said the team executed its plan well. She emphasized the importance of the serve line in building momentum. Marquette coach Mindy McConnaughhay said the Crusaders were flat footed all night.

Marquette hit unforced errors throughout the match. Rita McLaughlin and Kinley Rick provided points for Marquette, but the Crusaders could not sustain runs. Bureau Valley led by Brooke Helms with 16 digs. Libby Endress recorded nine digs and 17 assists. Brynley Doty led the team with 10 kills.

Fulton and Bureau Valley will scout each other before the final. The championship match is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday at St. Bede.