FAIRFIELD — Many of the area’s top graduating senior volleyball players gathered in Fairfield Sunday for one final high school match–the Section618 all-star game.

The players say it was a great opportunity to play with and against many familiar faces from throughout the years.

The West team featured Carterville’s Avery Vanderzille, Carbondale’s Kennedy Hirst, Chester’s Kendall Willaims and Reese Chandler, Murphysboro’s Maggi Williams, Mt. Vernon’s Briar Curd and Marina Wilson, NCOE’s Mattie Wells, and Pinckneyville’s Grace Numi. The West was coached by Nashville’s Josh Konkel and Carterville’s Nathan Emrick.

The East squad featured NCOE’s Sophie Neal, Woodlawn’s Ashtyn Barton, Edwards County’s Meredith Gillard, Johnston City’s Briley Watts, Herrin’s Kelsey Jurich, Cisne’s Jocelyn Hall, and the Fairfield trio of Kylie Stewart, Chloe Britton and Leah Bowers. The East was coached by Fairfield’s Chet Snyder, Johnston City’s Jon Watts, Herrin’s Karen Jurich, and now retired Thompsonville coach Jerry Warren.

The players only were able to get one practice in before the game. With a rhythm sport such as volleyball, it took a bit for things to start to click.

The match was a best of five. The West took the opening set, with the East coming back to claim the next three for the win. While it was an exhibition and an afternoon of fun, competitive juices still flow.

Organizers say they plan to make this senior all-star game a yearly tradition.