Volleyball Recap: Dynamic Duo of Tatum Kirkland and Tessa Deyoung Lead St. Anne to Victory

There's no place like home for St. Anne, who bounced back after a loss on the road last Thursday. They narrowly escaped with a victory as the team sidled past the Clifton Central Comets 2-1. That's more bragging rights for the Cardinals, who also won the pair's last head-to-head.

It was an exciting match in which no team won back-to-back sets, but at the end of the day St. Anne got the one that really mattered. Once all was said and done, the final score wound up at 26-24, 21-25, 25-21.

Tatum Kirkland

Digs (Career)

09/16/25 vs Clifton Central	8
09/11/25 @ Tri-Point	6
09/02/25 vs Hoopeston	6
08/28/25 vs Kankakee Trinity Academy	2

St. Anne was led to victory by Tessa DeYoung and Tatum Kirkland. DeYoung had 15 kills, eight digs, and three aces, while Kirkland had eight digs and four aces. Those eight digs gave Kirkland a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Demi Duncan, who had six digs, five kills, and three blocks.

St. Anne's win was their fifth straight at home dating back to last season, which pushed their record up to 4-2. As for Clifton Central, they have been struggling recently as they've lost four of their last five matches. That's put a noticeable dent in their 5-11 record this season.

We've got plenty of inter-conference action coming up soon. St. Anne is set to take on their familiar foe Beecher at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday. Meanwhile, Clifton Central will square off against rival Donovan at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday.