Emma Rice
After falling to Christian Academy of Madison in four sets during the regular season, Columbus Christian volleyball coach Savannah Spurgeon rotated her lineup to try to match up better with the Defenders when the teams met Monday in the semifinals of the Indiana Christian Schools Athletic Association South Regional.
The move nearly paid off for a set. The Crusaders took Christian Academy to the brink in the first set, but weren’t as close in the final two of a 28-26, 25-17, 25-17 defeat.
“I thought overall, I saw some good things,” Spurgeon said. “We did really well on our out-of-system play today, and I think that Bella (Frederickson) had the hot hand tonight with how she was hitting. I think they were intimidated by her hitting tonight, which was my goal. I moved our lineup around so that Bella could be matched up with their No. 10 (Hannah Skirvin) a little more so that we could play them a little better.”
Columbus Christian (6-12) had three set points in that first set. The Crusaders led 24-22 and 26-25, but the Defenders scored the final three points to take the set.
“I really liked the way that we played that first set,” Spurgeon said. “I hate that we didn’t get the win there, but I think they fought hard. I think it really tired us out for the next two, but I thought they played really well in that first set.”
Frederickson pounded 11 kills, Abby Dora recorded seven asssits, Emma Rice notched 33 digs and Addison Smith and Macimae Brown each served two aces to lead the Crusaders.
Also for Columbus Christian, Katie Bond tallied eight kills and Smith had four kills, six assists and 16 digs. Dora added 13 digs.
The Crusaders’ season isn’t over. They host three more regular-season games, beginning with Tuesday’s home contest with Crothersville, before heading to the National Association of Christian Athletes Tournament Oct. 21-24 in Dayton, Tennessee.
