The top of the Illinois Central Eight Conference volleyball standings are shaping up to be very competitive this season.

Both Coal City and Peotone came in to Thursday’s matchup looking to pick up a win to stay in the top half of the conference, but it was the visiting Coalers (9-8-1, 3-2) who picked up a win in straight sets over the Blue Devils (9-5, 2-3), 25-17 and 25-21.

It was the Coalers’ third win in their last four matches overall and third win in their last four ICE matches following a loss to Lisle in their conference opener on Sept. 2. Their only conference loss since then was a three-set thriller with first-place Manteno that was decided by just seven total points across the three sets.

Sophomore middle hitter Maggie Carlson, who led the team with seven kills Thursday,

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