WMBD Sports Recap: Nov. 16, 2024

PEORIA, Illinois (WMBD) – Limestone volleyball fell in the 3A state title game in three sets and Central Catholic was defeated in a championship game that went the distance as well.

The Rockets fells 22-25, 25-22, 25-18 with a team full of talented underclassmen who felt they had a lot to prove throughout the season.

I mean, this season has been a miracle. If you asked it at the beginning of the season....Like, if you asked us if we'd be here, we would not have said yes. It's like we've come so far as a team. I'm so proud of us still. Like, it would have been awesome at first, but getting second is still a huge accomplishment.

Ella Karmenzind

I feel like we all believe in each other and I feel like that's all we do. We knew that coming into postseason, we had a lot to prove and I think we've done that. I'm so proud of everyone. Like we played our hearts out. There's nothing else we could have done.

Bryn Williamson

Like, no one really thought we'd be in this position. And even to win, to get into the championship is phenomenal for for our team. Like, we still played our hearts out. They're an amazing team, you know? It's just great to go two three with them and still get second place in the state

Mia Lamberti

Meanwhile, the Saints were defeated by Mater Dei in the 2A title game.

The final score was 19-25, 25-20, 25-23 in a hotly contested match. Despite the disappointing result, the Saints will never forget the experience.

"All we wanted was to be in the state championship. To win it would have been absolutely amazing but to go out on such a close game with such a special group of girls means the world to me."

Aubrey Campbell

"I will remember this forever. It's such an amazing accomplishment. I'm so proud of us that have come this way. It's something I'll never forget."

Makayla Wieduwilt

It was Elite 8 weekend for the high school football playoffs. Three Central Illinois teams have punched their tickets to the semifinals:

U-High (4A)

Farmington (2A)

Leroy (1A)

Normal Community and Peoria High saw their seasons come to an end.

Illinois Wesleyan football coach Norm Eash coached his final game for the Titans Saturday afternoon.

The program's all-time wins leader won 233 games since taking over in 1986. He also accumulated nine CCIW conference titles and took six teams to the NCAA DIII football playoffs.

He was presented with an IWU recliner as a retirement gift. North Central defeated IWU 42-20.

Bradley defeated Northern Illinois 76-60 in a non-conference game at Carver Arena. The Braves are now 3-0 at home on the young season and will head to the Murtle Beach Invitational next week.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com.

The two teams suing NASCAR over an antitrust complaint said Saturday they will compete in 2025 as "open teams" after the sanctioning body removed anticompetitive release claims that will allow them to race while the legal process continues. 23XI Racing, the team owned by NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin, and Front Row Motorsports refused in September to sign take-it-or-leave it revenue sharing offers made by NASCAR just 48 hours before the start of the playoffs. The teams have filed an antitrust suit alleging NASCAR is "monopolistic bullies" and were denied in federal court last week a request to be recognized as "chartered" teams as the suit continues. A charter is essentially a franchise and guarantees prize money, a spot in the field each week, and other protections.