By Rob Deweese
For The Republic
EDINBURGH — For Hauser to continue its decade of dominance in Class A Sectional 60 play and win its 11th straight sectional championship, the Jets had to defeat a Greenwood Christian Academy team that had defeated them during the regular season.
Mission accomplished. Not only did Hauser continue its sectional domination, but it also exacted revenge on the Cougars, winning the championship match 25-22, 19-25, 25-19, 25-16.
It was a highly competitive match, but Jets middle blocker, Hannah Johnson was confident that their past sectional success would allow them to close out another sectional championship.
“We know how to get pumped up for these games. We know how to win sectional and finish the job, and we were able to do that tonight,” Johnson said.
Johnson was an important cog in the Hauser’s offensive attack. She led the team with 26 kills and three aces. Being a senior, she knew it was her job to step up and keep the streak going.
“Coach (Jeff) Case expects a lot from Aunaka (Wasil) and me. We are seniors, so we are expected to lead. Tonight, I was able to get into a good zone hitting the ball and block out any negativity. We did not want the sectional streak to end, so we felt some pressure, but it was also exciting,” Johnson said.
Wasil did her part as well to help the Jets to victory, leading the team with 43 assists.
It appeared as if the regular-season match against the Cougars might play out the same this time in set one, however. Greenwood Christian jumped out to an early 7-3 in the first set. A four-point spurt by the Jets evened the match at 7-7, but Hauser did not take its first lead until 15-14. From there, neither team was able to gain more than a two-point advantage until the Jets were able to end the set on a 5-2 run to close out the Set 1 victory.
The Cougars were not intimidated, however, and after spotting Hauser the first two points in Set 2, they took control. Using a 7-0 run, Greenwood Christian charged out to a 9-4 lead and never looked back.
Using some tough serving and a bevy of Hauser errors, The Cougars led by as many as 10 points at 18-8. Although Hauser made a late charge and saved four match points, it was too little too late as they evened the match at one set apiece.
Set 3 looked as though it would also go Greenwood Christian’s way. However some incredible scrambling by the Jets and an injury to Izzy Reed, the Cougars’ top player, turned the tide.
With the score 12-7, Hauser managed to score due to some unbelievable defense. During the scramble, Reed injured her ankle and needed help off the court. Without their senior leader, Greenwood Christian struggled and the Jets took advantage. Hauser went on a 5-0 run to tie the set at 13. Although Reed came back into the set, she was unable to stop the Jets’ momentum. Hauser ended the game on a 9-4 run to win the third set.
The Jets carried that momentum into the fourth set. After the Cougars scored the first point, Hauser quickly erased the deficit and never trailed again. Greenwood Christian did not go quietly, but the Jets steadily pulled away. Their championship experience showed, as they closed out the set and match.
Hauser also won its sectional semifinal in four sets on Saturday, beating Waldron 25-11, 25-14, 23-25, 25-16. The Cougars did not have to play a semifinal match after Morristown had to drop out because of COVID.
That set up the final matchup, and for the 11th consecutive year, it was Hauser holding the trophy at center court.
“That is a great team we played tonight,” Case said. “We knew what we were up against, and that motivated us. I do feel the injury changed the match some, but I am proud of the way we played.”
And as for that 11th straight sectional championship?
“I think it is validation for all of the hard work that we have put in this year. I would rather we win this one than the one in the regular season,” Case said.
The Jets (20-11) will play Indiana Deaf in the Morristown Regional semifinals at around noon Saturday. The regional final is at 7 p.m. Saturday.
