Columbus East’s Gabby Dean spikes the ball against Franklin’s Scarlett Kimbrell Thursday Aug. 18, 2022, at Columbus East High School.
The Republic file photo
Bartholomew County volleyball fans won’t have to travel far to see their local teams compete in sectional action this week.
Columbus East is hosting a Class 4A sectional that includes Columbus North, and Hauser is hosting a 2A sectional. First round action takes place on Thursday, with semifinals and finals scheduled for Saturday.
“It’s fantastic getting to play in front of your home crowd and your friends and your family,” East coach Ellyn McIntosh said. “Hopefully, that gives us a little bit of an advantage. It’s always nice not to have to travel, and hopefully, we can relax a little bit before the first and second games on Saturday if we make it there.”
The Olympians (17-12), however, are squarely focused for now on their opening-round matchup with Whiteland (8-16), which will begin around 7:30 or 7:45 p.m. Thursday. A win would put East in Saturday’s semifinals at around 12:30 or 12:45 p.m. against Shelbyville (5-25). The sectional final is at 6 p.m. Saturday.
“We’re not going to look past (Whiteland) right now,” McIntosh said. “We’re taking it one game at a time, preparing for Whiteland.”
Senior Erin Williams leads the Olympians with 677 assists and 31 aces, while senior Gabby Dean, an Illinois recruit, has 59 blocks and has 232 kills. Senior Maddie Cline has 265 kills and 198 digs, and senior Kenzie Foster has 297 digs.
“Practices are going well this week so far,” McIntosh said. “The girls are excited. We had a little bit of a lull against Avon in our home tournament the other day, but we bounced back. I’m confident we’re playing some of our best volleyball right now.”
North (11-16) received a first-round bye and will play in the semifinals at 11 a.m. Saturday against the winner of Thursday’s first match between Franklin (19-9) and East Central (9-19).
The Bull Dogs fell to Franklin in three close sets on Thursday at Franklin.
“Playing them last Thursday, we competed pretty well with them,” North coach Jenna Ortega said. “Yeah, we lost, but the way we were playing, we were playing pretty well. We are cleaning up those areas that need a little bit more improvement. We know what to expect now with Franklin.”
Columbus North’s Emily Stair digs out a serve during a match against Southport Sept. 5, 2022, at Columbus North High School.
The Republic file photo
Freshman Karen Dutro has 202 kills and 177 blocks, and senior Emily Stair has 393 digs and 33 aces to lead the Bull Dogs. Senior Emma Burns has 248 assists, and senior Logan Branstetter has 117 kills and 27 aces.
“It’s a great group of girls,” Ortega said. “Our senior class wants it more than anything. They’re putting in the work this week. As long as they believe in themselves, I don’t see us having an issue.”
Meanwhile, Hauser (21-10) will open its sectional against North Decatur (25-4) in a battle of the top two teams in that tournament. The Chargers beat the Jets in four sets during the regular season in a game that decided the Mid-Hoosier Conference title.
“I expected us to do a little better when we played North Decatur at the end of the season,” Hauser coach Jeff Case said. “That was kind of puzzling to me, but we’ll be ready for the rematch. We know North Decatur is not going to give it to us. We have to go out there and earn it.”
Hauser’s Adrianna Musillami, right, sets the ball as Kenze Bostic prepares for a spike against Seymour Monday Sept. 12, 2022, at Seymour.
The Republic file photo
Junior Kenze Bostic leads the Jets with 331 kills and 90 blocks. Senior Adrianna Musillami has 809 assists, senior Kyra Meister has 390 digs and junior Mattie Foster has 57 aces. Senior Charlie Clark adds 219 kills and 334 digs.
With a win, Hauser would play Switzerland County (9-18) in the semifinals at 11 a.m. Saturday. The final is at 6 p.m. Saturday.
But to make it there, the Jets first need to take care of business against North Decatur.
“I expect it’s going to be a really good match,” Case said. “We have to play well. If we want to win, we have to have a good effort. They’re a really good team, and we know what to expect. They’re a senior-heavy team and have a lot of experience and a lot of good players. We have to be ready to play.”
