Since taking over as Columbus Christian volleyball coach 2 1/2 years ago, Sarah Stair has tried to beef up the Crusaders schedule by playing strong IHSAA programs.
This year, the Crusaders might have found the best opponent they’ve played to date, and they didn’t have to look far to find it. A Hauser program that has won nine consecutive Class A sectional titles lined up across from a fellow Bartholomew County school for the first time since 2002.
Although Columbus Christian made it close in the second set, the visiting Jets cruised in the first and third to claim a 25-11, 25-21, 25-12 victory.
“I’m pretty sure Hauser is the strongest team that Columbus Christian has probably ever played,” Stair said. “I’ve been wanting to play them for a long time. I appreciate their willingness to play us.”
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]
The Jets (15-5) took control early, jumping out to a 9-3 lead. The Crusaders (13-3) were within 18-11, but Hauser earned a sideout, and Mary Branum served six straight points, ending the set with an ace.
“We didn’t play very good at the beginning, but I think we all picked each other up, and we played to the best of our abilities,” Branum said.
In the second set, the Jets led 20-13 before Columbus Christian got a sideout and back-to-back aces from Emily Stair to cut the lead to 20-16. The Crusaders came as close as 22-20, but Hauser held on to take a two sets-to-none lead.
“I felt really good about the way they played that set,” Sarah Stair said. “As a whole, they came out fighting. They didn’t want to let the ball hit the ground. I was really proud of Emily getting a couple of aces and getting a kill, playing like she’s bigger than 5-foot-1.”
After Columbus Christian scored the first point of the third set, the Jets ran off eight in a row and went on to finish off the match.
Johnson pounded eight kills and six blocks, and Branum had nine digs and three aces to lead Hauser. Aunaka Wasil recorded 11 assists.
Also for the Jets, Shelby Fugate tallied six kills and two blocks and Kylie Lock had eight digs and an ace. Charlie Clark notched three kills, Adriana Musillami added three assists, Olivia Wright had two blocks and Wasil served an ace.
“Ball control was a little sketchy,” Hauser coach Jeff Case said. “I don’t think we came out with the intensity that we should have had. But Sarah does a really good job with the Crusaders, and they looked sharp. It was a fun match.”
Lauren Hunnicutt led Columbus Christian with four kills and a block. Hannah Stair recorded six assists, Kayla Jones tallied 11 digs and Emily Stair served four aces. Madison Henderson and Hannah Stair each pounded two kills, and Ellie Ridder served an ace.
The Crusaders, who normally are a strong serving team, had a little trouble with in the beginning, which they attributed to a case of nerves.
“The were hitting long, and serving was off,” Sarah Stair said. “Normally, serving is our strongest asset, and that was a little bit off tonight.”
