The Hamilton Southeastern volleyball team swept Fishers on Thursday to win the Mudsock match. (Richie Hall)
By RICHIE HALL
FISHERS – The Hamilton Southeastern volleyball team hosted the Mudsock match with Fishers on Thursday and won in a tight straight-set match, 25-18, 25-21, 25-19.
After the Royals prevailed in the first set, both teams settled in for a very competitive second set. Neither team led by more than two points until the end, when Southeastern won four straight points from 21-21. Madi Miles started the run with a kill, followed by a kill from Bre Morgan. Miles stepped up again with a net tip to bring HSE to set point, then put down another kill to give the Royals the set.
“She’s been our go-to,” said Southeastern coach Jason Young. “She’s come up with crucial kills at big times for us. She’s getting it done every single night. She’s going to Illinois for a reason.”
Several players stepped up for both teams during the second set. Miles and Morgan teamed up for a block, while Merritt Sliwa hit a couple kills. Meanwhile, Fishers’ Milana Mays also hit a couple kills, with Ella Dragoo adding a pair of kills as well.
“Milana is a steady force for us, both blocking and attacking,” said Tigers coach Kim Baker, who is now the Fishers varsity head coach after two years as an assistant. “As long as we can get her the ball and we can keep feeding her, we’re going to score points with her.”
The third set was close early, with the score tied at 6-6. Miles and Fishers’ Mya Woodley both hit aces, with HSE’s Mia Zabel making a block for the first point. The Royals took off on a 10-1 run that gave the home team a 16-7 lead. Sliwa, Miles and Ava Gould all hit kills, while Jasmie Daniels served an ace.
Fishers went on it own 6-0 run to get back within 16-12; Mays hit a kill and teamed with Brynn Baker for a block after making a solo block. Ava Tester served two aces. But Sliwa ended the run with a kill, then Brooklyn Sigler’s spike pushed Southeastern ahead 20-13. The Tigers kept battling to the end, but Sliwa hit a kill on match point to finish things up.
Miles finished with 16 kills, while Sliwa hit nine. Morgan made eight blocks. As for Fishers, Mays put down nine kills and made three blocks, while Tester dished out 14 assists and served two aces. Caitlyn Gutt had three aces, with Kate Brinkruff collecting nine digs.
The Royals are 3-0 in Hoosier Crossroads Conference play and 11-1 overall; they host the Southeastern Invitational on Saturday. Fishers is 0-4 in the conference and 9-5 overall. The Tigers’ next match is Monday at Center Grove.
