Coming off an ICSAA volleyball state runner-up finish Saturday in Lafayette, Columbus Christian returned home Monday night for a battle with the Columbus Hawks homeschool team.
In a battle of two teams playing their final tuneups before turning their attention to next week’s National Association of Christian Athletes Tournament in Dayton, Tennessee, the Crusaders swept the Hawks 25-10, 25-19, 25-15.
“I thought we played hard and for the Lord,” Columbus Christian senior Michaela Schundelmier. “We hustled, and we had energy. We knew that we had to work hard for this.”
Schundelmier is the lone regular senior starter for the Crusaders (27-3-1). Their other senior, Chloe Albertson, started on Monday.
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Sophomores Madison Henderson and Hannah Stair served Columbus Christian to an early 12-1 lead in the first set, and the Crusaders never looked back.
Senior Grace Lorimor, who played for Columbus Christian the past few years and was honored prior to the game, served the Hawks (3-11) to a 3-0 lead in the second set. The Hawks led 8-7 and were tied at 15-15 before the Crusaders took control.
Columbus Christian then jumped out to a 7-1 lead in the third set and cruised from there.
“They came out strong,” Columbus Christian coach Sarah Stair said. “Chloe Albertson got to start and play most of the first set, as well as part of the second set. I wanted to get her in, and Shakira Lewis in the third set and just incorporate some of the other players. I felt like a game like tonight was a chance for some of the other players to get in and get some experience.”
Mayah Schundelmier pounded 16 kills and a block, Michaela Schundelmier had a block, Hannah Stair recorded 20 assists, Kayla Jones notched five digs and Henderson served four aces to lead the Crusaders.
Also for Columbus Christian, Henderson tallied six kills and three digs, Ellie Ridder added three kills and three aces and Hannah Stair had three digs and three aces and. Michaela Schundelmier contributed three digs, and Mayah Schundelmier served three aces.
Grace Lorimor led the Hawks with five kills and five aces. Sarah Lorimor recorded 19 assists, Ann Marie Gandy had two blocks and Ava Farnsley notched four digs. Grace Lorimor also added 17 assists, a block and three digs; while Gandy served two aces and Farnsley and Lucy Herridge each pounded a kill.
“They can play defense with a lot of good teams, and Columbus Christian is a really good team,” said Hawks coach Chris Lorimor, a former Crusader assistant. “Our girls are trying to be scrappy and hustle all the time and not let anything hit the ground. We’re still trying to grow into the offensive side, and that’s where you can tell the difference. Columbus Christian is definitely skilled on the offensive side, too.”
