The REPORTER
The Noblesville volleyball team won a wild five-set all-county match over Carmel Wednesday at the Eric Clark Activity Center.
The set scores were 25-17, 22-25, 13-25, 25-14, 17-15. The Millers had to fend off two match points for the Greyhounds, but once they did, Noblesville had its four consecutive match victory.
“It’s amazing how volleyball matches can be a roller coaster,” said Millers coach Joe Marcum. “One moment you’re up, then you’re down, you’re up, you’re down. Fortunately, we got through some of our reception woes and then made the plays down the stretch.”
After dropping the first set, Carmel won the next two, barreling through the third set. Noblesville came back and won the fourth set easily, setting up the winner-take-all fifth set.
An ace from Chloe Macias put the Millers ahead 4-3, then later, Piper Endris served an ace to give Noblesville a 7-3 advantage. The Millers led 10-7 at one point, but a successful block by the Greyhounds’ Noema Philistin-Lynch started a four-point run for Carmel. Avery Carroll put down a kill, and the Hounds led 11-10.
The match went back and forth for the next several points. Carmel held a match point at 14-13, then got one at 15-14 after another Carroll kill. But Ashlynn Turner made a net tip to tie the set at 15-15, then Miranda Bledsoe served out the last two points.
“We have such a brutal conference and such a brutal schedule here in Hamilton County that anytime you win matches like this, it’s got to help your confidence in moving forward,” said Marcum.
Macias hit 12 kills, made six blocks and served four aces; she was named the Indy Ignite Player of the Match.
Carmel’s Amanda Ailes (13) cheers with her team after the Greyhounds won a point during the third set. (Richie Hall)
“Chloe is a force for us in the middle, both as a blocker and as attacker,” said Marcum. “And actually, she’s one of our best-scoring servers, so she does an awful lot for us.”
Complete Carmel stats were unavailable at press time, but Greyhounds coach Jonni Parker said that Amanda Ailes passed 100 career aces during the match. Ailes scored the first point of the fifth set on a net tip.
“I love where we’re going as a team,” said first-year coach Parker. Carmel has three seniors on the team: Carroll, Ailes, Philistin-Lynch and Ashley Hagelskamp. They will be honored Monday at the Greyhounds’ Senior Night match against Pike.
“It’ll be fun to celebrate them, but also celebrate our success as we’re growing and getting better. Every day they’re getting better.”
Earlier this week, Noblesville won a four-set match over Muncie Burris 25-15, 25-22, 17-25, 25-17. The Millers are 14-4 for the season, while Carmel is 5-15.
Noblesville is back on the road tonight at Franklin Central for a Hoosier Crossroads Conference match, while the Greyhounds are off until their Monday match with Pike.
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Guerin Catholic swept Warren Central Tuesday 25-8, 25-15, 25-18, winning on the Golden Eagles’ CYO and Pack the House Night.
Guerin Catholic’s Keira Wolf makes a dig during the Golden Eagles’ volleyball win Tuesday over Warren Central. Wolf finished the match with 12 digs. (Mike Navarro)
Ella Henderzahs hit eight kills for Guerin Catholic, while Keira Wolf made 12 digs. Lizzie Caron dished out 16 assists, with Claire Ducey handing out 12 assists. Natalie Laughon served six aces, while Addie Gruesser hit five aces.
The Golden Eagles are 7-12 for the season. Guerin Catholic’s next match is Tuesday when it hosts Cardinal Ritter at the Eagles Nest.
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Hamilton Heights scored a sweep of Lapel on Wednesday, winning 25-17, 25-16, 25-13.
Macie Smith reached a milestone during the match, clearing 1,000 career kills. Smith hit four kills in the second set. Emma Blanton helped out with four kills in the third set.
The Huskies are 16-3 and play tonight at Pendleton Heights.
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Fishers swept Franklin Central Tuesday in an HCC match, 25-21, 25-14, 25-21.
Izzy Bowman, Elaina Wehrman and Lana Mays all hit eight kills for the Tigers. Ava Tester dished out 18 assists, with Kennedy Tinch handing out 17 assists. Jules Kellogg collected 20 digs.
Fishers is 3-2 in conference play and 15-10 overall. The Tigers host Avon tonight in another conference match.
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Hamilton Southeastern was swept by Roncalli on Tuesday, 25-17, 25-20, 25-20.
The Royals are 18-2 and play an HCC match tonight at Zionsville.