Daily Journal file photo
The match had no conference implications, played out on a neutral court and was over in three sets.
All the same, Greenwood Christian’s 25-19, 25-17, 25-18 loss to Class 4A power Center Grove during the Johnson County tournament in late September was a firm tap on the shoulder to Cougars coach Grace Woolsey.
Woolsey, in her second season at GCA, sensed her team’s potential through its first 21 matches.
By No. 22, she saw it clearly.
“That’s when things finally started to click,” said Woolsey, whose team is semistate bound for the first time in school history. “Technically speaking, I would say our defense is really good. We do run a fairly fast offense. We have some good middle hitters this year, so we’re able to execute quickly when we need to.
“Just based talent-wise, it does not surprise me that our players have the capacity to be as good as they are. I thought semistate seemed like a very reasonable goal for us.”
Advancing to next week’s Class A championship match at Ball State’s Worthen Arena would mean defeating Tecumseh on Saturday in Jasper.
No small task, considering the Braves were last year’s state runners-up, are currently ranked atop the state Class A poll and have won 31 of 35 matches this season.
Greenwood Christian, led by senior co-captains Naomi Hillenberg and Milana Schundelmier, are confident the Cougars will represent themselves well.
“Our team is so united,” said Hillenberg, a four-year starter at libero who has exceeded 1,000 digs for her career. “Since we’re such a small school, we’ve had a chance to hang out together.
“I would say all of us are best friends. The chemistry, I think that’s one of the big foundations of our team.”
Three GCA players have have at least 200 kills this season — juniors Faith Kresge (251) and Addisyn Yoder (204) as well as Schundelmier (200), a three-year starter at outside hitter. Sophomore left-hander Addie Smith and classmate Aiva Kresge have also proven capable at the net with 142 and 126 kills, respectively.
Senior setter Savannah Danielson (367 assists) teams with Aiva Kresge (505) in that department. Another senior, defensive specialist Ellie Sloan, has been good for 183 digs, while senior middle hitter Hannah Swatts (52 kills, 33 blocks) and junior middle Savanna Taulman (23, 17) are also factors in the historic postseason run.
Based on ranking and recent history, Tecumseh is favored to advance to next week. Greenwood Christian has faced tall odds before, however, and succeeded.
Maybe this is another one of those times.
“I’m so stoked,” Schundelmier said. “We’ve worked our tails off to get where we are. Our coaches believe in us, and having their support means a lot.”
IF YOU GO
Class A Jasper Semistate
Greenwood Christian (24-13) vs. Tecumseh (31-4)
When: Saturday, 4 p.m.
Admission: $12 (no cash); children under 5 free
