Breese Central Rallies Past Tri-Valley for State Volleyball Championship
Facing an opening-set loss and repeated late deficits, the Cougars found a way back in a tense Class 2A championship match Saturday in Normal.
NORMAL - The Breese Central Cougars rallied from being down multiple times to win the Class 2A State Volleyball Championship Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026.
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Breese Central rallied from an opening-set loss to defeat Tri-Valley in a thrilling three-set volleyball match Saturday, winning the final two sets 26-24 and 29-27 to complete the comeback.
Tri-Valley opened the match with a strong performance, taking the first set 25-16 behind an aggressive offensive attack and several scoring runs.
Breese Central initially got on the scoreboard with a kill from Bailey Gebke, assisted by Madi Redman, but Tri-Valley quickly responded with a kill from Annabelle Bischoff.
The Vikings took control early, putting together a 5-0 run to build a 5-1 advantage. Kills from Bischoff and Presley Shanahan, along with a service ace from Kinley Morris, helped Tri-Valley establish momentum.
Breese Central attempted to answer with a 4-0 run, cutting the deficit to 9-6 behind a kill from Madelyn Luebbers and several Tri-Valley attack errors.
However, Tri-Valley responded with another 5-0 run to extend its advantage to 14-6. Shanahan played a key role during the stretch with a pair of kills.
Breese Central continued battling, getting offensive contributions from Gebke, Luebbers, Aspen Hollenkamp and Kynley Barth, but Tri-Valley maintained control and eventually closed out the opening set 25-16.
The second set featured a much different story as Breese Central found its rhythm and began answering the Vikings' offensive attack.
Tri-Valley jumped out to an early 8-4 lead behind kills from Kinley Morris and Presley Shanahan. The Cougars responded with a 3-0 run to pull within one before the Vikings extended their advantage to 20-13.
Breese Central refused to back down, putting together a crucial 4-0 run to cut the deficit to 20-17. Luebbers recorded a kill, while Elle Filarski and Shanahan contributed service aces.
Tri-Valley appeared to be in position to close out the set, reaching match point at 24-19. However, the Cougars produced an incredible late rally.
With Madi Redman serving, Breese Central scored five consecutive points to take a 25-24 lead. Gebke delivered two kills during the run, while Lana Kraeger added an important point.
Gebke then finished the set with another kill, giving Breese Central a 26-24 victory and evening the match at one set apiece.
The deciding third set delivered another back-and-forth battle, with both teams exchanging scoring runs and trading the lead.
Breese Central opened with a kill from Gebke, assisted by Kynley Barth, but Tri-Valley answered with a kill from Morris and a service ace to take an early 3-1 advantage.
The Cougars responded with a 3-0 run to take a 4-3 lead and continued building momentum, eventually establishing an 8-5 advantage.
Tri-Valley fought back behind kills from Shanahan and Chloe Bruce before eventually taking an 11-9 lead. The Vikings extended that stretch into a 3-0 run to move ahead 12-11.
The teams continued trading points throughout the middle portion of the set. Gebke and Luebbers provided important offensive contributions for Breese Central, while Morris and Shanahan kept Tri-Valley within striking distance.
Tri-Valley eventually took a 17-16 lead following a service ace from Madi Redman and an attack error by Breese Central.
The Cougars answered with kills from Luebbers and Hollenkamp before continuing their offensive push to take a 21-19 advantage.
Tri-Valley then responded with four consecutive points to move ahead 23-21. Service aces from Gebke and the Vikings' team serving effort helped put Tri-Valley within one point of the match.
With the Vikings leading 24-22, Breese Central once again refused to go away.
Gebke recorded a kill, followed by a point from Hollenkamp to tie the set at 24-24. After a Tri-Valley timeout, the Cougars took a 25-24 lead on an attack error by Shanahan.
The teams continued exchanging points in an exciting finish. Gebke delivered another kill to give Breese Central a 26-25 advantage, but Shanahan answered for Tri-Valley.
Luebbers then came through with a key kill to put the Cougars ahead 27-26. After another Tri-Valley point, Luebbers delivered again for a 28-27 Breese Central lead.
The Cougars finally secured the victory at 29-27 when Tri-Valley's Kinley Morris committed an attack error.
Breese Central completed the comeback with a 16-25, 26-24, 29-27 victory, showing tremendous resilience after dropping the opening set.
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