Columbia Volleyball Advances to IHSA Class 2A Finals

Claire Sandstrom has 11 kills as Columbia advances to championship match.

Nov 14, 2025 1:53 PM Nov 14, 2025 2:40 PM

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NORMAL— Columbia’s volleyball team, led by head coach Kelly Landgraf, advanced to the IHSA Class 2A state finals after a decisive victory over Rockford Christian on Friday, Nov. 14, 2025, at Normal CEFCU Arena.

Columbia improved to a 38-1 record, while Rockford Christian fell to 34-6 following the 25-18, 25-8 split in sets.

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Columbia executed a game plan that Coach Landgraf described as their best of the season.

“I think most of all, it is super exciting to see where we started this journey. Obviously, that is the goal, and the whole team has taken steps to be there. It is nice to see them rewarded for their hard work,” she said.

Kinley Jany had a remarkable 16 service points in the match for Columbia.

The game featured strong offensive performances from Columbia’s Claire Sandstorm, who recorded 11 kills, and Jany, who contributed four kills and eight digs. Marly Matthews added three kills. Samatha Spruill had eight assists for Columbia. Maura Kohlenberger had two kills for the squad.

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Landgraf highlighted the team’s defensive and serve-receive efforts as key to their success.

“We did a lot of scouting and watching film of No. 2 (Madison Anspaugh). If we had to single block their right side, we lined up in a three zone, then we moved a little bit better, and our outside and middles were completely focused on her,” Landgraf said, referring to Rockford’s Madison Anspaugh, who had four kills in the match.

The coach added, “Personally, I just think this game we executed a game plan better than we have all year. They have done a great job all year, and our game plan was perfect. We knew we had to shut down No. 2, and the girls did a phenomenal job of that in the first game, frustrating her. The great thing about our team is that we are so widespread offensively with our talent, and it is hard to scout us. I also can’t say enough about defense and the serve receive efforts. It was perfect today.”

Rockford Christian’s offense was led by Devon Turne with six kills and Allison Lynde with three kills.

Columbia will face Bloomington Central Catholic in the championship on Saturday. Bloomington Central Catholic defeated Port Byron-Riverdale 25-16, 25-18 in the other semifinal match on Friday. The title match is scheduled for 1:55 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, at Normal CEFCU Arena.