When Columbus East beat Center Grove in the 2016 volleyball regional, the Olympians were a veteran team, while the Trojans were a fairly young squad.
Three years later, several of those Center Grove players who were freshmen on that team will lead the Trojans into today’s regional semifinal matchup against East at around noon at Bloomington North. While Center Grove has nine seniors, the Olympians are now a young team with just five seniors, including only three that are regulars in their rotation.
Just one of those East seniors, outside and right-side hitter Allison Mack, was a regular contributor as a freshman.
East coach Stacie Pagnard is familiar with some of the Trojan players from coaching them in club volleyball. Senior setter MJ Hammill committed to Wisconsin as a freshman, and senior libero Ashley Eck and senior middle hitter Jamie Brown are committed to Indiana State. Junior middle hitter Grace Boggess has committed to Butler.
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Center Grove’s leading attacker is sophomore outside hitter Katie Egenolf.
"Bloomington South has some really good pieces, and we had to play our style of volleyball," Pagnard said. "(Center Grove) may have a few more athletes than Bloomington South, and they have a few athletes that we’re going to have to focus on. "Defense is going to have to be our strong suit. Serving and passing is going to be vital. We’re serving really aggressive right now, and that’s what we’re going to have to do to have a shot this weekend."
The Olympians beat Bloomington South in four sets in last week’s sectional final after surviving a scare in a five-set win over host Bloomington North in the semifinals.
Senior Rilee Jessee, who has committed to Felician, leads East with 254 kills and 318 digs. Senior Mady Foster has 419 assists, freshman Gabby Dean has 63 blocks and sophomore Cadence Gilley has 39 aces.
"I think that we are a much-improved team from the beginning of the year," Pagnard said. "I think the way they finished the regular season with winning our tournament and then in the sectional, beating the two Bloomington teams, I think we’re clicking on all cylinders."
Pagnard has tweaked the Olympians rotation since the beginning of the season. East runs a modified 5-1 offense with Mady Foster setting from the back row and Katy Jordan from the front row. Freshman Kenzie Foster and Gilley have moved between the libero and defensive specialist positions.
"Our team is very flexible, and we practice multiple different formations, depending on who we’re playing," Pagnard said.
Class 4A No. 3 Providence and Castle will meet in today’s first semifinal at 10 a.m. The winners will play for the regional title at 7 p.m. today.
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Bloomington North Regional
Today
11 a.m.: Providence (28-1) vs. Castle (30-4)
1 p.m.: Columbus East (20-9) vs. Center Grove (27-6)
7 p.m.: Championship
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