By RICHARD TORRES
For The Reporter
MUNCIE – The secret behind top-ranked Hamilton Southeastern’s success isn’t measured in numbers or statistics.
It’s defined in moments, and when the defending Class 4A state champion Royals needed a push last Saturday night against fifth-ranked Castle inside Ball State University’s Worthen Arena, both seniors Tiffany Snook and Breonna Goss elevated.
On paper, neither topped more than 200 kills entering the IHSAA 4A volleyball state championship game, but each took control in crucial situations.
“It’s whoever is hot. Sometimes, they’re sitting on Lauren (Harden) when she gets so many kills in a row that we have to go to the next person,” Goss remarked after HSE’s 3-1 win over Castle for the 4A state crown. “We just go back and forth because that way they can’t stop us.”
The Knights (34-4) struggled to account for Goss and Snook, and the duo helped propel HSE towards a program first back-to-back titles, a 67th straight victory for the program and a historic perfect 33-0 season finale.
In the first set, Snook took control, as the Castle defense keyed on outside hitters Lindsey Mangelson and Harden. With a team-high seven kills in the 25-18 opening set victory, Snook chipped in two more in the second three more in the third and finished with 14, including the final kill to initiate the on-court celebration.
“Everyone wants to be the person to step up, but sometimes you can and sometimes you can’t. When you can’t you just have to do what you can, so I did what I could,” Snook said.
Goss found her opportunities in the second, third and fourth sets.
A two-point rally in the second by Goss, who swiftly hammered down a pair of middle net kills put HSE ahead 24-21 before the Knights charged back to win 26-24 and tie the match.
However, Goss wasn’t done. In the third set, she turned four kills into seven and ended the night with 13 along with a solo block and a block assist.
“She’s been spectacular all year. The kid is going to Duke for a reason. She’s a special player, and when it came to crunch time, we could rely on her. I thought, Snook, our other middle that’s going to Memphis, is unbelievable, and she had some key kills for us as well,” Young said. “They kind of slammed the door on any comeback Castle might have had.
The duo posted consecutive kills in the third set, increasing HSE’s lead 23-19 before Harden put the game away. In the fourth, Goss buried four clutch kills during a Royals’ 8-3 run en route to a decisive 25-15 finale.
“We love to play together. We play for club together, too, so it’s easy for us,” Snook said.
Snook and Goss have played club volleyball together in two of the past four years with Munciana in Yorktown, and their chemistry was vital on the largest stage for the nationally-ranked Royals.
“It means so much. Last year, we won, and this year felt like we kind of had to because we won last year, and we only lost our one senior. It feels good to do it again,” Snook said.
Right at Home
HSE senior libero Sophie Ledbetter is committed to Ball State University, and she made it a milestone home court by surpassing 1,000-career digs during the IHSAA 4A volleyball state finals.
“That’s special to do it here at Worthen, and I’m thrilled to death,” HSE head coach Jason Young said.
Ledbetter finished the four-set victory with a team-best 17 digs, six assists and two aces. She was perfect at both service and reception throughout.
“It was so special,” Ledbetter said after HSE became just the fourth team in 4A history to win state unbeaten. “I love this arena so much, and I love playing in it. I’m so excited for the next four years.”
There’s just one problem, though. She needs to trade in her Royals’ blue for Cardinal red.
“Yeah, I know. That’s the only thing,” Ledbetter joked. “Fishers is our rival. Red is our rival color, but it’ll be fine. I like Cardinals.”
Forgot How to Lose
The Royals (33-0) became the fourth 4A team in IHSAA state volleyball tournament history to finish as an undefeated state champion. Prior to Saturday, only Cathedral (2015) and Yorktown (2018, 2020) had achieved the feat.
“It was amazing. That was our goal from the beginning. We’re just really glad we could finish that through,” Goss said.
This season, the Royals only dropped five sets this year and swept four postseason opponents with 30 overall this year.