BLOOMINGTON — Center Grove proved why it is one of the top teams in the state when it took on Columbus East in the regional semifinal volleyball match played at Bloomington North on Saturday.
The Olympians didn’t go down without swinging and put up a huge fight early, but as the match wore on, the Trojans eventually pushed through to give East a season ending 25-22, 25-17, 25-15 loss.
The Olympians fought in the first set leading 13-12 and grew the lead to 19-16. The Trojans came back with six straight points to lead 22-19. The momentum by Center Grove helped it finish off the opening set.
East couldn’t find the momentum it had in the opening set to put up a strong fights in the final two sets.
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Reece Whitehead finished with six digs and four kills, Kenzie Foster had six digs and an ace, Mady Foster had eight digs, Allison Mack added five kills and Gabby Dean had four blocks and four kills for the Olympians.
Despite losing five seniors, East is a young team and should be in great shape to make a deeper run in the future.
“We didn’t make our goal to the state championship this year, but we’re going to because of the leadership and the standard that they set,” East coach Stacie Pagnard said. “I’m just so proud of each and every one of them. They’re super selfless and it’s a joy to be a part of something bigger than yourself, and I think that they resemble that and the body of all of the leadership, that is what makes them special.”
Regardless of how Saturday’s result turned out, the Olympians finished 20-10, won the Hoosier Hills Conference and then brought the sectional trophy back to Columbus after a three-year absence.
The downside is losing five seniors in Mack, Rilee Jessee, Mady Foster, Kendall Schaefer and Sam Hutcheson.
“I’m proud to be the coach of this team,” Pagnard said. “This senior class is super-special. They’ve done a lot for the culture at East. They’re responsible for the turn around and the drive since November of last year. It hasn’t felt like a whole year that we’ve been doing this because it’s been enjoyable. We love each other, and it’s a really enjoyable group.”
