Carmel’s London Evans (right) hits the ball as Kennedy Lutz (left) and Reese Resmer go up for the block during the Greyhounds-Millers volleyball match on Wednesday. (Quinn Matthews)
By QUINN MATTHEWS
quinn@readthereporter.com
The Carmel volleyball team secured the win after a hard-fought game against the Noblesville Millers on Wednesday in five sets.
Both teams came out strong in the first set battling point-for-point in a tight matchup. Samantha Adams and London Evans put many points on the board for the Greyhounds with block assists. As a result of their consistency, the Greyhounds won the first set 25-20.
The Millers start out the second set with dominance, quickly taking the lead. Powerful spikes from Ella Coppock, combined with the team’s consistent drive for a win, helped the Millers close the second set winning 25-14.
The Greyhounds took control early in the third set with renewed energy. They were able to adapt to the Millers’ blocks and hits, and they quickly returned them with even more power and maintained their lead. Their momentum led them to winning the set 25-17.
“Our girls knew they were going to have to play very clean, but also be very resilient, and be willing to make plays last longer. Noblesville is very scrappy and a hard blocking team, and that is something we had to adjust to,” said Carmel head coach Jonni Parker.
Both teams came into the fourth set with intensity, knowing that the outcome of this set could seal the match. The extreme hope of winning was evident from all players, causing a tight set. Lila Bruszewski racked up points for the Greyhounds with strong spikes, but the Millers continued to match their energy. The score reached 24-24 and every move carried the weight of the match. In the end, the Millers were able to take the set, winning 29-27.
The set score was 2-2, leading to a deciding fifth set. Everyone was extremely focused, and between serves, the players and the crowd were silent and tense. With such a close game, both teams were encouraged and confident that they could win. Leaving no room for mistakes, the hits across the net were perfectly clean and thought out. Finally, the Greyhounds emerged victorious in the fifth 15-12 win, giving them the five-set victory.
“In the end it came down to the fact that they swung all the time, and we have to be able to answer with that too,” said Noblesville head coach Annie Poulson.
The Carmel Greyhounds play again at 6:30 p.m. on Monday against Pike. The Noblesville Millers play next at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday against Franklin Central.
