The Noblesville volleyball team swept to victory at its own invitational on Saturday.
The Millers won their first two matches in pool play, first beating Western 25-15, 25-21. Lexie Almodovar hit eight kills, collected eight digs, handed out eight assists and served three aces. Rose Crist helped out with 11 kills, three aces and one block. Riley Branch dished out 16 assists and picked up six digs, while Diana Cox had nine digs. Ella Peter had four kills, Bella Hines served four aces and Abby Johnson hit one ace.
Noblesville then beat Plainfield in a tight match, 25-18, 33-31, to advance to the championship bracket. Crist led the way with 16 kills, four digs and two aces. Almodovar added 14 assists, 10 kills, seven digs and one block, with Branch contributing 15 assists and three digs. Cox collected seven digs, Johnson had one ace and Anna Kiser made one block.
Next up for the Millers was Franklin Central, which Noblesville beat 25-23, 25-19 to reach the championship game. Almodovar had 10 assists, eight kills, six digs and one ace, while Crist added 11 kills and five digs. Cox had seven digs and two aces, Johnson collected four digs, Branch handed out 15 assists, and Kiser and Peter both made one block.
Finally, Noblesville edged out Western Boone 25-16, 17-25, 15-12 to claim the invitational trophy. Almodovar had 18 digs, 13 kills, 11 assists and one ace. Crist helped out with 13 kills, one ace and one block. Branch dished out 17 assists, Cox picked up nine digs and served one ace, while Johnson also had nine digs and one ace. Kiser and Peter both made one block and Hines served three aces.
The Millers are 5-8 for the season and will host defending Class 4A state champion Yorktown on Monday at The Mill.
Westfield beat North Central in three sets, 25-19, 25-22, 25-22, at the Southeastern Showcase Saturday at Hamilton Southeastern.
The Noblesville volleyball team celebrates after winning a point during one of their matches at the Miller Invitational on Saturday. Noblesville won its own invitational after sweeping all four of its matches. (Kirk Green)