After dispatching Madison Christian in three easy sets Monday night, the Columbus Christian volleyball team turned its attention to its main rival.
The Crusaders will host Bloomington Lighthouse in the ISCAA South Regional final at 6 p.m. today. Columbus Christian has beaten the Lions both times the teams have met this season.
“We know that Bloomington is coming after us with a vengeance, and we have to be ready,” Columbus Christian coach Bruce Giggy said. “We know that we can beat them, but we know that that’s probably upset them quite a bit. We’re ready to play them.”
The Crusaders (17-3) had little trouble in advancing to the final. They rolled to a 25-9, 25-16, 25-7 victory against Madison Christian.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]
Despite being off for fall break last week, Columbus Christian showed no signs of rust.
“We were just trying pull them out of being on break, trying to get them back and get them warmed up and back in the swing of the game,” Giggy said. “So we pushed them a little harder in the warmup time just to get them ready to play. We knew this game was going to be a little easier game, so we kind of worked it so that everybody got an opportunity to play tonight.”
After the first set was tied at 1-1, the Crusaders got a sideout. Hannah Lorimor then served 13 consecutive points for a 15-1 lead.
Lorimor had string of seven straight points in the second set after a 15-15 tie and a Columbus Christian sideout. Then in the third set, after a 2-1 lead and a sideout, Lorimor served 15 straight points for an 18-1 advantage.
“I just get back there and focus on each serve because that’s the key — starting off each play,” Lorimor said. “We really played together and talked a lot better that we have been in some games. I’m really looking forward to (tonight) and hoping that we can keep the communication.”
Madison Henderson pounded eight kills and two blocks, Sabrina Herron recorded 18 assists and five aces and Lorimor had five digs and five aces to lead the Crusaders. Hannah Stair also notched five digs, and Savannah Herron tallied six kills.
Columbus Christian is seeking its first regional title since 2004. The ISCAA state tournament is Saturday at Faith Christian in Lafayette.
Win or lose this week, the Crusaders also will play in a national tournament Oct. 25-28 in Dayton, Tennessee.
“We’ve had a great season,” Giggy said. “We have a good group that’s jelled well, and we’ve done a lot of things with the team this season to kind of force them to develop friendships with each other. That’s been a struggle in the past — being a team and playing as a team.”
