The Hamilton Southeastern volleyball team won its Dig Pink match with Lawrence North on Tuesday, sweeping the Wildcats in three hard-fought sets: 25-21, 25-22, 25-22.
After scrapping out the first set, the Royals got off to a 5-1 lead in the second set. Libero Grace Kane helped out by serving three consecutive aces. Lawrence North came back to lead 13-12, but a kill by Olivia Phillips helped the Royals to regain the lead at 15-14.
A late block by Meredith Phillips and Zada Anderson moved the Royals ahead 21-20, and they were able to close out the set from there.
Lawrence North led 20-18 in the third set, putting Southeastern in danger of losing its first set at home in two years. But the Royals rallied, winning seven of the next nine points. Grace Hunter helped out with a pair of successful net shots, and Bria King put down a kill. Consecutive kills from Lark Jones and Meredith Phillips clinched the match for HSE.
“We’ve been fairly strong at home the last two years,” said Southeastern coach Jason Young. The coach said whenever his team plays at home, “we just sort of lock in at the end and do a nice job of finishing.”
Both Phillips sisters had superb games: Freshman Olivia dished out 27 assists and made 2.5 blocks, while senior Meredith hit 10 kills. Kane had 16 digs to go with her three aces. Carly Mills also served three aces.
Both teams wore pink uniforms for the match to show their support in the fight against breast cancer.
“It was a terrific night honoring and celebrating the lives of many women that have been impacted by cancer,” said Young.
The Royals are now 5-2 for the season.
Hamilton Heights swept rival Tipton 25-12, 25-13, 25-20 on Tuesday.
Ana Collar had a solid all-around game for the Huskies with 11 digs, 10 kills, five assists, three blocks and thee aces. Tori Hayden had 11 digs, four kills, four blocks and three aces. Sydney Griffey finished the match with 10 digs, seven kills and three aces.
The Heights junior varsity 18-25, 25-20, and 15-11.
Noblesville remained undefeated on the season by beating Pendleton Heights in straight sets on Tuesday, 25-21, 25-12, 25-21.
Lexie Almodovar and Emily Kiser both hit 10 kills, with Almodovar also making 12 digs. Brenna Everingham had 10 digs. Maddie Hine dished out 27 assists.
Westfield swept Pendleton Heights Monday night, 25-19, 25-15, 25-20.
The Shamrocks were led by Kinsey McAfee with 10 kills, Claire Hindman with 15 digs, Jaycee Goodson with one solo block and one assist block. Kenzi Daffinee served four aces, and Caroline Sinicki handed out 24 assists.
Hamilton Southeastern libero Grace Kane passes the ball during the Royals’ match with Lawrence North on Tuesday. Southeastern won in three hard-fought sets. (Kirk Green)