Columbus East’s Krea Martin lunges for the ball as Cadence Smith (5) and Kadence Miller (4) look on against Franklin Thursday at Columbus East High School, in Columbus, IN.
Nicholas Shaw | For the Republic
The results of Columbus East’s first two volleyball matches this week were much the same, but the quality of play from Tuesday’s season-opening four-set loss to Bloomington North and Thursday’s four-set defeat to Franklin were vastly different.
The Grizzly Cubs bounced back from the Olympians’ third-set victory to finish off a 25-20, 25-19, 16-25, 25-17 win at The Orange Pit.
“Our passing and setting improved just from Tuesday, so I’m really pleased,” East coach Alison Eagleman said. “Blocking, and girls being able to adjust, we got a lot of movement in the front row, switching up blockers and hitters, and they just quickly adjust and bring it.”
Franklin (2-0) built eight-point leads in each of the first two sets, only to see the Olympians (0-2) battle back to with in 22-20 in the first set on serving runs from Chloe Gill an Krea Martin and 22-18 in the second on a serving run from Martin. But each time, the Grizzly Cubs were able to close out the set.
The third set was a different story. Franklin led 10-9 before East took control and went on to cut its deficit to two-games-to-one.
The Grizzly Cubs bounced back and never trailed in the fourth set. Tied 3-3 early in the set, they got a sideout, and Rose Mahin served six consecutive points to stretch the lead to 10-3 and the Olympians did not threaten again.
Mahin, who has committed to Ohio University, led Franklin with 27 kills and nine digs.
“We really had a tough time digging Rose,” Eagleman said. “She’s amazing. She’s just a phenomenal hitter.”
Anika Jenkins recorded seven kills and three blocks, and Kadence Miller had eight digs and four aces to led East. Payten Osborn tallied 11 assists, and Martin served four aces.
Also for the Olympians, Addy Dean notched six kills and two blocks. Shelby Sharp had five assists, and Martin added seven digs.
“Columbus East played their tails off tonight,” Franklin coach Patrick Carlson said. “I knew they would. I told them this is not going to be easy.”
The Olympians will play Saturday in the Bishop Chatard Invitational.
“I’m so proud of the girls and how far we’ve come already for our second match,” Eagleman said. “We’re just going to get better.”
