THURSDAY'S ROUNDUP: Alton wins No. 20, extends streak to eight

The Alton's Redbirds reached the 20-win plateau in volleyball and achieved a payback in the process Thursday night.

Alton, now 20-3, won at Orchard Farm in St. Charles, Mo., 18-25, 25-9 and 25-15 to avenge a loss to the Missouri school in an AHS tournament earlier this season.

Emily Morris provided 44 digs and Brittney Twichell contributed 13 kills to spark the Redbirds in their three-game win. Alton has won eight in a row and 15 of its last 16 matches.

The Redbirds return to Southwestern Conference play on Tuesday when they welcome Granite City.

 Marquette def. Gillespie - The Explorers defeated the host Miners 25-21, 25-19 and lifted their record to 5-9. Gillespie is 0-15.

Rachel Eveans (11 service points, three aces), Bernadette Heneghan (seven kills, one block) and Sara Hoefert (six kills) spurred Marquette. Randi Martin had six service points and two aces for Gillespie. Teammate Sarah Bussmann had two kills, five blocks and one assist.

 Highland def. CM - The visiting Eagles took the Bulldogs to three games in this Mississippi Valley Conference match, but Highland prevailed 25-15, 20-25 and 27-25.

Diana Haynes (six kills), Cassie Endicott (six kills), Tori Ahlers (five kills) and Kylie Neal (19 assists) led the Eagles, now 2-14 and 0-6.

 Metro East Lutheran def. Valmeyer - The Knights downed Valmeyer 25-23, 18-25 and 25-19 to hike their record to 7-11. The Pirates are 8-4.

Kristin Tolbert (11 kills), Brooke Smith (seven kills), Alexis Petri (seven kills) and Maggie Scharnhorst (27 assists and 12 service points) paced the Knights.

 Carlinville def. Southwestern - The Cavies improved to 11-4, 7-0 in the SCC West with a 25-21, 25-17 win. Southwestern is 8-9, 5-2.

BOYS SOCCER
 CM 1, Waterloo 1 - Matt Bearley's second-half goal enabled CM to tie host Waterloo in a MVC match.

PREP TENNIS
 Jersey 5, Collinsville 4 - The visiting Panthers won three singles matches and two of three doubles matches to improve to 7-5 with a nonconference victory.

Highland 7, Civic Memorial 2 - The Eagles fall to 6-6, 1-3 in the Mississippi Valley Conference with a road loss. 

Roxana 8, EA-WR 1 - The Shells improve to 3-9 overall, 2-3 in the SCC with a road victory.

BOYS GOLF
 Explorers defeat Oilers - Marquette outshot visiting EA-WR 165-1175 in action at the Rolling Hills Course in Godfrey. Danny Selby's 38 led the 21-8 Explorers. Matt Sabatino carded a 40, best for the 9-30 Oilers.

GIRLS GOLF
 Shells edge Explorers  -  Sarah Johnes led all players with a 44, but the Shells shot 202, or six strokes better than the Explorers.