LOYAL. LOCAL. COMPLETE.
PARIS—The final chapter of a long-standing across-town rivalry was written Monday, Feb. 2, at Crestwood School, as Crestwood and Mayo Middle School faced off in what officials confirmed would be the last athletic contest ever played between the two schools.
The matchup, a middle school volleyball game featuring both sixth/seventh-grade and eighth-grade teams, carried extra weight beyond the scores on the scoreboard.
According to Crestwood officials, the decision to discontinue athletic competition between the two schools was made solely by Mayo, with Crestwood having no role in the determination. Crestwood administration deferred comment to Mayo regarding the decision.
Mayo Principal Casey Pinnell was contacted for comment, but did not provide a direct response. However, Superintendent Mary Morgan Ryan issued a limited statement to The Prairie Press on behalf of District 95 addressing the change.
“We have a deep respect for the long-standing tradition of athletic competition between our two districts,” Morgan Ryan said. “In support of our mission of ‘Every Student, Every Opportunity, Every Day,’ District 95 is seeking to promote a positive change in our schools and our community, fostering a unified spirit for all students as future Paris Tigers.”
After reaching out to all involved administrative parties, no other comments, elaboration or statements were provided to The Prairie Press regarding the matter.
The decision to discontinue play between the schools has drawn mixed emotions from the community. Several parents of athletes expressed disappointment and confusion, noting that the relationship between the two schools had often felt more friendly than hostile. Many described the games as competitive but respectful, emphasizing shared experiences and connections between students on both sides of the court.
On the floor, the evening delivered tightly contested volleyball that reflected the intensity and pride of the rivalry.
Crestwood 2, Mayo 0
In the sixth/seventh-grade match, Crestwood secured a straight-set victory, winning 25-22 in the opening set and edging Mayo 26-24 in the second. Both sets were marked by back-and-forth rallies and momentum swings, with Crestwood managing to close out key points late to earn the 2-0 win.
Mayo’s seventh-grade team, which entered the night with a 4-4 record, saw strong serving performances throughout the match. Hunter Ford led the way with six aces, while Kaydence Johnson added three. Tess Barrett contributed two aces, two digs and a kill, while Harper Pinnell recorded two aces. Johnson also tallied two kills in the loss.
Mayo 2, Crestwood 1
The eighth-grade contest proved to be one of the most competitive matches of the season for both programs.
Crestwood claimed the first set 27-25 after a dramatic finish. Mayo held a small but consistent lead for much of the set, only for Crestwood to rally repeatedly to tie the score. The teams were locked at 24-24 before Crestwood capitalized on the two-point rule to take the set.
Mayo responded decisively in set two, controlling the pace and the court to earn a 28-17 win. That momentum carried into the deciding third set, where Mayo maintained a strong lead throughout and closed out the match 25-12 to secure a 2-1 victory.
Mayo’s eighth-grade team, also holding a 4-4 record, was led by a strong serving effort from Ellie Hollingsworth, who recorded seven aces. Kennedee Guyer added five aces and three digs, while Braylynn Cook contributed three aces and three kills. Ariah Sitkiewicz led the team with four kills and added an ace, and Lily Fitzpatrick recorded a block.
Crestwood’s statistics were received at 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 6. They are listed below:
7th Grade
Charlee Dennis: 3 kills and 1 ace
Sophie Redmon: 3 aces, 3 kills and 8 assists
Lola Camp: 2 kills
Mattison Cordes: 2 aces
Mylah Moreschi: 2 aces and 1 block
Addy Lawson: 4 aces, 3 kills
8th Grade
Charleigh Cook: 1 kill
Maria Pia Vitale: 3 kills
Hadlee Eastham: 4 kills
Molly Becher: 1 kill
Zaylee Barczy: 2 kills
Charlee Dennis: 1 ace, 1 kill and 1 assist
Sophie Redmon: 2 aces, 2 kills and 7 assists
Lexie Sallee: 6 assists
Addy Lawson: 1 ace and 2 kills
While the future of competition between the schools has shifted, Monday’s matches served as a reminder of the passion, sportsmanship and community ties built through years of shared athletic history; a legacy that will not be easily forgotten.
