Center Grove’s Anabelle Schembra hits the ball during Saturday’s regional semifinal against Floyd Central.
Chris Williams | For the Daily Journal
BLOOMINGTON
Center Grove volleyball coach Jennifer Hawk loves what her team achieved off the court as much as on it.
“We knew what we had going into this season talent-wise, but the thing I’m most proud of the last couple of weeks is just their growth as teammates,” she said. “They were on a mission and coming together. They were the ultimate family outside of home. They put themselves aside and really wanted to win for each other. They gave everything they had for each other. I told them we came out as winners.”
The Class 4A No. 8 Trojans reached the regional championship Saturday night before losing to No. 5 Castle 25-21, 25-18, 25-22 at Bloomington North. The Knights (33-3), who also topped Franklin in their morning semifinal, will now play Roncalli Saturday in a semistate match at Jasper.
“We did what we could, we made Castle play almost perfect, which they did,” said Hawk, whose Trojans (27-6) advanced into the final by sweeping Floyd Central in the second semi of the day. “We didn’t pass as well as we did (in the semifinal). They blocked well. They’re a very disciplined team. We matched up well person to person. They just scored a few extra points than we did.”
Trojan senior Sophia Sabol said they knew coming into the tournament that working together as a team would be important.
“Our goal this year was to go farther than we did last year and we did hit that goal,” said Sabol, whose Trojans lost in the regional semifinal last fall. “We lost fighting; that’s all you can ask for. Whenever we play teams, we always get their best, and they’re a great team.”
Sabol is one of a few key seniors the Trojans will graduate.
“Sophie has been on a mission since day one, overcoming everybody doubting her,” Hawk said. “Sheridan (Young) works her butt off to be one of the best liberos in the state. Emma Leavitt has come so far in the two years I’ve had her.”
Hawk said they were very lucky to have Leavitt and freshman Anabelle Schembra pushing each other at the setter position.
Another senior, Ava Beecher, returned to the team after not playing last year.
“We’re grateful for adding her to the group of seniors, and Ava Mardis coming back after that ACL surgery (last) November,” Hawk said.
Center Grove breezed past Floyd Central 25-14, 25-12, 25-15 in the semifinals. Junior Ellen Zapp led the Trojans with 18 kills against the Highlanders.
“We had a pretty set strategy on what we were going to focus on to improve on our end and take care of their side,” Hawk said. “They did it to a T. They definitely learned a lot this week on how to combat weaknesses we have and overcome them.”
Castle had advanced by topping Franklin 25-22, 25-21, 26-24.
A week earlier, the Grizzly Cubs captured their first sectional since 2011.
“In every loss, we’ve had the same lack of experience problem or a lack of being there (before),” said Franklin coach Pat Carlson, whose team finished with a 23-9 record.
Carlson said Castle had a huge edge in experience with 41 sectional titles, including 29 of the last 30. Castle now has 10 regional titles.
“They’re long, athletic, big and talented,” Carlson said. “I knew they would be really good. I’m proud of our kids for not backing down.”
Castle started out with a good lead in each set, including 8-1 in the third.
“We were down and down and didn’t back off and continued to fight,” Carlson said. “I’m proud they bought into what it takes to prepare. We have a nice core of kids coming back and a nice JV team. The future is bright.”
Grizzly Cubs sophomore Rose Mahin had 11 kills, followed by senior Scarlett Kimbrell with 10 and senior Brooklyn York with eight. Senior setter Kennedy Urban had 28 assists, and Mahin had 16 digs.
