It took a little over an hour to do what had eluded Franklin volleyball for a dozen years — win a sectional tournament.
On Saturday night, a raucous crowd filled the gym as the host Grizzly Cubs toppled Columbus North in three sets, 25-17, 25-16 and 25-10 to win their first sectional since 2011, when the Cubs beat Greenwood, also in three sets and also at Franklin.
An emotional Pat Carlson was thrilled for his Grizzly Cubs, but he also said they were not at their best despite sweeping the Bull Dogs.
“I didn’t think we were always the best team but we hung in and did everything we could do, and that was the best part,” Carlson said. “Sometimes you are not going to play your best when you win.
“We played our best this morning.”
Carlson was talking about how Franklin reached the finals and that was by dispatching Columbus East in the morning semifinal, 25-11, 25-17, 22-25, 25-21. That win was especially satisfying for Franklin, as it was the Olympians who eliminated the Cubs in last year’s sectional final.
“We showed our main resilience against a team that really brought it to us,” Carlson said.
Columbus North, which swept Whiteland in Saturday’s other semifinal to spoil a potential all-Johnson County title match, ended its season at 17-13.
Franklin won the title without one of its key players, Rose Mahin, who was in Japan on a fall break school trip. After the championship match, the Cubs had her on a video call to enjoy the celebration.
Carlson said Mahin will be back in time for the regional.
Senior Scarlett Kimbrell, who is accustomed to celebrating sectional wins in a different sport, basketball, said she was equally thrilled with this win.
“This is pretty exhilarating,” Kimbrell said, who had 11 digs, eight kills and a pair of aces in the win. “Everyone believed in each other. I knew Kennedy (Urban) was going to get me a good set and our passers were going to get her good passes. It all just worked together.”
Urban had 27 assists and 10 digs in the evening final for the Cubs, while teammate Addison Martin provided 13 kills. Kate Pinnick also had 10 digs for the winners.
Franklin advances to the Bloomington North Regional where they will play Castle in an Oct. 21 semifinal. Center Grove and Floyd Central will meet in the second semi.
