University won its first ever volleyball sectional championship on Saturday at the “U” Center.
The Trailblazers won an incredible match over International School of Indiana 25-18, 21-25, 23-25, 26-24, 21-19 to take Class 1A Sectional 58. The victory sends University to next Saturday’s Morristown regional.
“They have fought all year long,” said UHS coach Jennifer Thompson. “They have persevered through this. We were down 2-1 after three sets and they fought their way back in and that’s what they’ve done all season. And this is a team that plays together, wins together, loses together and we came out on the right side of the ball tonight. I couldn’t be prouder.”
The ‘Blazers came out on top of a truly back-and-forth fifth set (if you were at the match, you know that is not a cliché). International jumped ahead 7-4, but a successful block by Lindsey Syrek gave University a spark, and it was soon leading 11-8.
The Gryphons rallied to 13-13, and had a match point at 14-13. Syrek hit a kill to tie things up, then the Trailblazers got their own match point at 15-14.
But International rallied, and had a second match point at 16-15. The Gryphons would get two more match points, at 17-16 and 18-17, but Stella Behforouz erased that one with a kill.
Gillian Monroe then hit a kill of her own to give University another match point at 19-18. ISI saved that one, but the ‘Blazers got a third match point at 20-19. That would be the one, as Behforouz hit a kill to give University the match.
The Trailblazers reached the semi-finals by beating Indiana School for the Deaf 27-25, 25-18, 25-15 in the semi-finals. University is 18-7 for the season and will play Indianapolis Lutheran in the second semi-final at Morristown next Saturday. Bloomfield and Hauser play in the first semi-final.
OTHER SECTIONALS
Guerin Catholic reached the final of the 3A Sectional 27 at Crispus Attucks on Saturday.
The Golden Eagles swept the host Tigers 25-4, 25-3, 25-9 in the semi-finals before falling in straight sets to Bishop Chatard in the championship. Guerin Catholic finished its season 14-14.
Sheridan fell in the semi-finals of 2A Sectional 40 at Lapel on Saturday, to Frankton in straight sets.
The Blackhawks lost 25-10, 25-14, 25-10. Maddie Zola hit three kills, while Cheyenne Brooks made five blocks. Emma Went served three aces, and Allie Delph had six digs and four assists.
Sheridan finished its season 5-21.
The University volleyball team won an intense five-set match to claim its first-ever sectional championship on Saturday. The host Trailblazers beat International School of Indiana, saving four match points in the fifth set. (Richie Hall)