Chester repeats as Trico Invitational champions

The defending champions are still defending.
Thanks to some gutsy performances throughout the week, the Chester Lady Yellow Jackets won all five games at the Trico Invitational to win the tournament for the second year in a row.
"I am so proud of these girls," said Chester coach Adam Gibbs. "I didn't want to make this about me, so I didn't tell them until after it was all over, but this was my very first tournament win as a head coach.
"I have had second place finishes as a club volleyball coach, but I couldn't be happier than to accomplish my first win as a head coach with these girls."
Katie Hoffman and Carlee Weir were selected to the All-Tournament team for Chester (12-4). Hoffman recorded 19 kills, five assists, seven blocks, four aces and eight digs for the week.
Weir recorded four kills, 89 assists, six aces, two blocks and 12 digs for the five matches.
"My senior middles, cousins Maddie and Katie Hoffman, played all six rotations most of the week," Gibbs said. "That is asking a lot of middle blockers the Hoffman cousins. Their net play was the best it's been all season.
"Carlee Weir had another all-tournament caliber performance this week. She is the rock and foundation of this team."
On the tournament's final night last Thursday, Chester defeated Steeleville and Marissa to clinch the title. The Lady Yellow Jackets defeated Marissa in decisive fashion, 21-12 and 21-17, to set up a battle with Steeleville for the title.
The Lady Warriors had previously beaten Chester at the season-opening Marissa-New Athens Labor Day tournament and were equally undefeated in the Trico tournament entering the matchup.
The Lady Yellow Jackets started out dominant against the Lady Warriors - who finished runner-up with a 4-1 record - in taking a 21-9 win in the first set.
The second set was a different story, but Chester pulled out the sweep with a 21-18 win.
Katie Hoffman and Lauren Welge each played tough at the net with seven kills apiece. Weir added 20 assists and Lauren Vasquez, Reese Chandler and Weir each recorded a block apiece.
Tayler Howie led the team in digs with seven and Katie Hoffman and Reese Chandler each had two aces apiece.
"Lauren Welge probably gets the game ball (Thursday)," Gibbs said. "Her hitting carried us to the championship. Neither team tonight could read her lefty swing."
For the tournament, Lauren Welge recorded the most kills with 26 while Weir led the team in assists with 89.
Tayler Howie had the most digs with 19 and Katie Hoffman led in blocks with seven. Reese Chandler had the most aces with eight.
"I couldn't be more proud of Reese Chandler who had to come in and step up as outside hitter because starter Grace Stec injured her leg Monday night," Gibbs said. "Reese was our biggest weapon from the serving line all week."
• Chester def. Okawville 21-16, 19-21, 15-13
Katie Hoffman led the Yellow Jackets in kills, while Carlee Weir had 14 assists and Katie Hoffman recorded three blocks.
Reese Chandler, Tayler Howie, Maddie Hoffman and Lauren Welge each had one ace apiece. Weir led in digs with five.
• Chester def. Trico, 21-11, 21-11
Katie Hoffman and Maddie Hoffman each recorded five kills apiece. Weir led in assists with 14 and Reese Chandler led the team in aces with five.
Katie Hoffman had the most blocks with two and Tayler Howie led in digs with four.
• Chester def. Sparta 21-13, 19-21, 15-13
Against the Lady Bulldogs, Lauren Welge and Maddie Hoffman stepped up and led the team in kills with seven kills apiece.
Carlee Weir had 27 assists and Maddie Hoffman led in both blocks (1) and digs (3). Tayler Howie and Carlee Weir each added three aces apiece.
• Chester def. Marissa/Coulterville 21-12, 21-17
Lauren Welge paced the team with six kills against Marissa-Coulterville. Three players had two aces apiece in Welge, Carlee Weir and Katie Hoffman.
Three players also had three blocks apiece in Katie Hoffman, Maddie Hoffman and Welge.
Weir recorded 14 assists and Maddie Hoffman and Weir each added five digs apiece.