Krea Martin
Columbus East came out with a lot of energy in the fifth set in Tuesday’s volleyball matchup, especially with Madison looking fatigued.
With it being senior night, the Olympians had a little extra at stake. Trailing after the third set, East had bursts in the fourth and tie-breaking fifth to prevail over the Cubs 25-27, 25-20, 20-25, 25-20, 15-7.
“We really had to play for each other, and I feel like we really did that,” East junior libero Krea Martin said. “We weren’t playing for ourselves. We were playing together as a team, and I think that was really what helped.”
The Olympians (11-17) fell behind early in the fourth set 8-4, but climbed back to tie it at 10-10. When Madison (22-9) went ahead 14-11, the scoring frenzy was on for East. The Olympians ballooned it to a huge 22-15 lead and forced to a fifth-set tiebreaker.
In the deciding set, East wouldn’t be denied, quickly jumping out to an 8-3 lead. The Cubs didn’t come close to threatening the Olympians in the set.
“In that fifth set, we worked so hard to get to the fifth set, and it was the mentality of, ‘Why would we give up now? We worked so hard to get where we’re at,’” Martin said. “That was something we talked about in the huddle, was to give everything you have. Leave everything out on the court.”
Lilah Klei recorded 15 kills, four blocks and three aces for the Olympians. Chloe Gill finished with 10 kills, 10 digs and three aces. Payten Osborn tallied 23 assists and three aces.
Also for the Olympians, Martin notched 22 digs. Addy Dean finished with 10 kills and six blocks. Kenlee Gault had 16 assists, and Anika Jenkins added four blocks.
Before the game, East recognized seniors Gill, Klei, Jenkins and Chandler Harris, a former player who now is an assistant coach with the freshman team.
“They have really brought up their leadership skills,” East coach Alison Eagleman said. “At the end of the season (last year), they came to us and asked, ‘What can they do to be better leaders?’ We were mind blown. We weren’t expecting that when they asked to meet us. I’m really proud of them. They played very well tonight.”
