Newark volleyball’s best postseason run since 2019 closes after supersectional loss to Illini Bluffs

The Newark volleyball team’s best postseason run since 2019 came to a close after a 25-17, 25-21 loss to Illini Bluffs in Monday’s Class 1A Brimfield Supersectional.Coincidentally, it was the Tigers who the Norsemen beat that year to win the state title. On Monday night, Illini Bluffs (30-4) was the better team, punching its ticket to this weekend’s state tournament in Normal. The Tigers will face Athens at 9 a.m at Illinois State’s CEFCU Arena“Somebody is going to have to play really well to beat Illini Bluffs,” Newark coach P.J. McKinney said. “Those three that were in serve-receive passed the ball well all night. “This game’s all about first contact, serve and receive. We could have served a little tougher and passed a little better, but you know what, we’re here. And I’m proud of the way we got here. It was close for a little while.”The first set was back and forth with neither team getting ahead more than a couple points until the Tigers went up 18-15. Newark (35-6) took timeout,