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Writer's pictureJonathan Michel

“Happy tears”: Limestone finishes second in 3A after state championship defeat to Mahomet-Seymour in three sets


Limestone volleyball
Limestone players celebrate with their Class 3A state runner-up trophy on Saturday. Jonathan Michel/Clutch Sports Media

NORMAL, IL – It was there.


It was right there. 


Six more points to a state title, the first in program history and second ever in school history. Finishing off a postseason run that wasn’t completely unpredicted, but wasn’t completely expected either. 


A community that came together to support the Limestone Rockets in gift baskets, watch parties and in the stands at CEFCU Arena. A team – propelled by underclassmen – that was united in its pursuit of giving it all for their teammates. 


A state title only felt so deserving for the Rockets, but it wasn’t meant to be as Mahomet-Seymour reeled off a big second-set comeback and won the deciding third set 25-18 to take home the prize most highly coveted: a Class 3A state championship. 


“As we talked about in the locker room, these are all happy tears,” Limestone head coach Shelly Stoner said, sitting in the middle of Rockets players wiping away the last few drops from their eyes. “It’s not really how we wanted to end but I couldn’t ask for anything more. They fought back and played with a lot of passion and a lot of heart.”


“It was a crazy, wild run and they made history and nobody can take that away.”

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