The REPORTER
The Noblesville girls volleyball team played an afternoon match Saturday, Aug. 30 at Guerin Catholic that was easily one of the closest matches of the season so far.
The Millers had to overcome a two-set deficit, then four match points in the fifth set before prevailing over the Golden Eagles. The scores were 24-26, 20-25, 25-22, 25-17, 18-16.
Guerin Catholic’s Emery Cardinal hit 24 kills during the match. (Mike Navarro)
“I think we showed a lot of grit today,” said Noblesville coach Annie Poulson. “We might not have all the parts together, but we have consistently shown grit and that’s something you can’t really teach.”
Guerin Catholic led 13-10 before the Millers’ Reese Resmer made a successful block and Kennedy Lutz served an ace to cut that advantage to 13-12. Maddie Fritch hit a kill to give the Golden Eagles their first two match points at 14-12.
Noblesville saved them both, after which Guerin Catholic had more match points at 15-14 and 16-15. A block by the Millers tied the match at 16-16, then Ella Coppock put down consecutive kills to clinch Noblesville’s victory.
Coppock finished the match with 19 kills, followed by Resmer with 16 and Lucy Ryerson with 15. Senior setter Madison Brown dished out 58 assists and also served five aces.
Guerin Catholic’s Emery Cardinal put down 24 kills, with Fritch hitting 13 and freshman Reese Canada spiking 12. Setter Claire Ducey handed out 61 assists. Senior Natalie Laughon collected 27 digs, with Fritch making 13 digs. Julia Easters made seven blocks.
It was the first loss of the season for the Golden Eagles, after winning their first seven matches under new coach Jennifer Shortenhaus.
“We’re a very united team,” said Shortenhaus. “And they just made that decision to stay together and they train hard. They’re just really bought in. And you can see they play with a lot of passion and a lot of unity.”
Guerin Catholic played another top Hamilton County team Tuesday, traveling to Hamilton Heights. The Golden Eagles made the comeback this time, winning 22-25, 21-25, 25-15, 25-22, 15-11. Guerin Catholic is now 8-1 and hosts Roncalli Thursday in a Circle City Conference match. The Huskies are 10-3 and play a Hoosier Conference match at Logansport Thursday.
Noblesville is 5-1 and plays at Lawrence North tonight, then travels to Fishers Thursday for a Hoosier Crossroads Conference match.
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Westfield rolled to the Yorktown Invitational championship Saturday, Aug. 30, winning four matches in two sets.
The Shamrocks defeated Bellmont 25-7, 25-14; McCutcheon 25-7, 25-18; Crown Point 25-11, 25-22 and Concordia Lutheran 25-17, 25-11.
Westfield is perfect for the season at 9-0 and hosts Zionsville Thursday in an HCC match.
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Hamilton Southeastern also stayed perfect for the season by winning two matches at the North/South Classic, which took place Saturday, Aug. 30 at Floyd Central.
The Royals swept the host Highlanders 25-16, 25-14, 25-14 before beating Providence 25-15, 25-21, 25-13.
Southeastern is 7-0 and plays an HCC match at Avon Wednesday.
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Fishers also played at the North/South Classic and picked up two straight-set victories.
The Tigers defeated the Highlanders 25-22, 27-25, 25-22 and beat Providence 25-16, 25-16, 25-22.
Fishers is 7-2 and hosts Noblesville Thursday in an HCC match.