By RICHIE HALL
NOBLESVILLE – The Noblesville and Fishers volleyball teams battled their way through five sets Thursday at The Mill, with the Tigers prevailing to stay unbeaten in Hoosier Crossroads Conference action.
Fishers edged out the Millers 21-25, 25-18, 25-20, 20-25, 15-10. It was a scrappy and hard-fought match, with the Tigers going on late runs in each of three sets they won to seal the victory.
The Tigers went on an 11-1 run in the fifth set to take a 13-5 lead. Senior Ellen Roberts put down a kill to begin the run, then senior Juliana Kellogg later hit back-to-back aces. Sophomore Milana Mays hit four kills in the set.
Mays
Fishers led 14-7, setting up several match points. The Millers saved three of them, all courtesy of kills by Ashlynn Turner. But the Tigers converted their fourth match point to get the win.
“It’s nice that when the backs are against the wall and it’s a decisive set that we play our best,” said Fishers coach Steven Peek. “We had two aces, we had a great block, we had Milana get four kills, all in the fifth set. Some of our best, most consistent serving was the fifth set.”
Noblesville led 13-8 in the first set, including an ace by sophomore Piper Endris, then Turner struck again with a kill to put the Millers up 14-9. Noblesville was able to stay comfortably in front for the remainder of the set.
The second and third sets were both close until Fishers pulled away late in both sets. The Tigers were up 11-8 in the second set before Madison Brown’s net tip and an ace by Kennedy Lutz helped tie the set at 11-11.
But with the score tied at 14-14, the Tigers went on an 8-1 spurt to lead 22-15. Isabella Bowman hit two kills during the run, and Ella Dragoo, Aubree Valcourt and Ava Gutt all put down kills as well. Gutt made the kill on set point.
In the third set, the score was again tied 14-14 before Fishers jumped ahead 16-14. A run of three straight points got the Tigers up 22-17, including a Dragoo ace. Fishers fought off some resistance from Noblesville, and Tinch dumped a pass over the net on set point to give the Tigers the third set.
The Millers turned the tables in the fourth set, when they broke out of a 15-15 tie to score four straight points. Turner hit a kill for the first point, then Lutz and Turner each hit a kill. Miranda Bledsoe served an ace and Noblesville led 19-15. The Millers won the set when Chloe Macias served an ace.
Noblesville led 4-2 in the fifth set before Fishers made its run.
“They got on a run, and it was difficult to crawl out of that,” said Noblesville coach Joe Marcum.
Roberts and Gutt each hit 11 kills for Fishers, with Mays putting down seven. Tinch dished out 23 assists, while Ava Tester handed out 16. Tinch collected 15 digs, Kellogg had 14 and Tester made 13 digs. Valcourt totaled five blocks and Kellogg served three aces.
Turner led Noblesville with 12 kills, followed by 11 for Lauren Flynn. Lutz made 16 digs, Maggie Hall collected 15 and Macias served two aces.
Fishers is 2-0 in HCC play and 9-3 overall. The Tigers will play in the Providence Invitational on Saturday. Noblesville is 0-2 in the conference and 4-2 overall; the Millers’ next match is Monday at McCutcheon.
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Hamilton Southeastern picked up its first HCC win of the season with a home sweep of Avon Thursday.
The Royals won 25-14, 25-21, 25-17. Madison Miles led the hitting with 18 kills, while Lindsey Mangelson put down nine kills. Maye McConnell served six aces, with Mangelson adding another three aces.
Breana Morgan made two solo blocks. Ava Hunter dished out 22 assists, and McConnell collected 17 digs.
Southeastern is 1-1 in conference play and 7-1 overall. The Royals play at the Fort Wayne Carroll Invitational on Saturday, facing off against Bellmont at 10 a.m. and the host Chargers at noon.
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Hamilton Heights cruised to a Hoosier Conference victory over new league opponent Logansport on Thursday.
The Huskies swept the Berries 25-7, 25-12, 25-15. Emma Blanton served 11 straight points in the first set, including three aces. Sierra Bramel distributed the ball efficiently in the second set, dishing out nine assists. Macie Smith was dominant in the front row, totaling 23 kills.
Heights’ junior varsity won its match 25-3, 25-15.
The Huskies are 2-0 in conference play and 12-2 overall. Heights hosts Alexandria Monroe at noon Saturday.
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Westfield picked up a big HCC win over Zionsville Thursday in a five-set thriller.
The Shamrocks edged out the Eagles 26-24, 19-25, 23-25, 25-18, 17-15. Carsyn Comer played outstanding, hitting 17 kills on a .517 hitting percentage and making eight blocks. Kendyl Strack totaled 28 digs and served two aces. Emily Blevins handed out 27 assists and Izzy Jackson dished out 20.
Westfield is 2-0 in conference play and 9-3 overall. The Shamrocks host Guerin Catholic on Tuesday.
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Guerin Catholic swept Shelbyville on Wednesday, 25-15, 25-17, 25-9.
Maddie Fritch hit 15 kills for the Golden Eagles, while Juliette Fuhrer served four aces and made 10 digs. Claire Ducey handed out 17 assists.
Guerin Catholic dropped a Circle City Conference match to Roncalli on Thursday, 25-7, 25-11, 25-19.
The Golden Eagles are 0-2 in conference play and 3-7 overall, and travel to Westfield on Tuesday.