By Rob Deweese
For The Republic
EDINBURGH — After winning its first sectional championship in 11 years, Edinburgh came into its regional championship match Saturday night searching for its first ever regional title in volleyball.
Unfortunately for the Lancers, Indianapolis Lutheran failed to oblige, defeating Edinburgh 25-19, 25-15, 25-10 to take the crown back to Indianapolis.
“We knew coming in that they were a good defensive team. We hit it at them, and they would hit it right back. As the match went on, we got gassed,” Edinburgh coach Kristi Allen said. “When you only play six girls, and no one subs out, it gets tiring. They (Lutheran) were able to rotate players in, and that made a difference.”
The Lancers (20-11) jumped out quickly in the opening set, scoring the first six points to take a 6-0 lead, but the Saints were not deterred. They chipped away, eventually knotting the score at 10 before going on an eight-point run to take a commanding 22-14 lead. From there, Lutheran closed out set one to take the early 1-0 match advantage.
Much like set one, the Lancers jumped out to an early advantage in set two, but again the Saints battled their way back, taking their first lead at 10-9. Edinburgh fought and scrapped right with Lutheran until the Saints front line began imposing their will. The hard-hitting duo of Hadleigh Filipovich and Brooklyn Ormsby powered Lutheran to a second-set win.
The Saints continued to capitalize on their momentum in the third set, pouncing on the Lancers early, not needing to battle back into the set as it had the previous two. To its credit, Edinburgh fought valiantly, but Lutheran was just too much on this night, winning the third set to sweep the regional championship match.
Gracie Crawhorn recorded seven kills and 23 digs, and Kyah Streeval had 18 assists and two aces to lead the Lancers. MacKenzie Bieker notched four blocks.
“This team played with heart, left it all out on the court, and we have no regrets. I couldn’t be prouder of them,” Allen said. “We played with intensity and fire all season, and that is a change from seasons past. We played with confidence. We won a sectional. This group has been dedicated to getting better, and they improved in all areas.”
And after winning its first sectional since 2011, Edinburgh is still left searching for that elusive first regional championship in volleyball. But the future is bright, as the Lancers only lose one senior to graduation this year.
“We will certainly miss Gracie. She was a leader in all areas. But we have a strong group coming back,” Allen said.
In the regional semifinal Saturday morning, the Lancers defeated Indiana Deaf 23-25, 25-8, 25-21, 25-11. After Edinburgh dominated the second set to tie the match at one, it appeared that Indiana Deaf was going to win the third set, leading 19-10.. but the Lancers went on a 15-2 run to come back for the victory. From there, Edinburgh carried the momentum into the fourth set to close out the match and advance to the championship round.
Bieker recorded 12 kills and two blocks, and Jessica Walsh had 25 digs and four aces to lead the Lancers. Streeval tallied 36 assists.
