The Hamilton Heights volleyball team won its first-ever regional championship on Saturday, Oct. 25. The Huskies swept host Norwell to win the regional and advance to semi-state. (Photo provided)
The REPORTER
The Hamilton Heights volleyball team powered to its first-ever regional championship on Saturday, Oct. 25.
The No. 9-ranked Huskies won the Class 3A Norwell regional by beating the host team in a sweep, 25-18, 25-20, 25-21. The victory qualifies the Huskies for the 3A north semi-state, which will be played at Huntington North this Saturday.
“It was a great team win,” said Heights coach Steve Ward. “We played some really good defense. We were able to pass really well and allowed our setters to set.”
Senior Macie Smith was dominant on offense, putting down 22 kills. Sophomore Olivia Schiffli hit 10 kills. Senior Sierra Bramel dished out 19 assists, while junior Reece Blanton provided 10 assists.
Junior Addie Doak led the defense with 14 digs, while freshman Riley Suarez made four blocks.
Sheridan senior Eva Todd serves the ball during the Blackhawks’ regional match with Benton Central on Saturday, Oct. 25. (Dwight Casler)
“We talked about making history and playing together and putting that in front of us as a goal,” said Ward. The coach said his team “played together as a whole team in every aspect,” including defense, serving and blocking.
“We were able to come out on top tonight,” said Ward.
The Huskies are 23-8 and play Bishop Dwenger in the first semifinal of the semi-state, which begins at 10 a.m. NorthWood and Mishawaka Marian play the second semifinal at noon, with the winners advancing to the 7 p.m. championship.
Rocks dominate Bellmont
Westfield also played its regional match at Norwell Saturday, Oct. 25 and won easily.
The No. 2-ranked Shamrocks claimed the 4A regional title with a sweep of Bellmont, 25-11, 25-16, 25-12. The regional win is the second in program history for Westfield, which won its first regional trophy in 2011.
Senior Georgia Bresnahan led the Rocks’ offense with 12 kills, while juniors Carsyn Comer and Paige Rudolph both put down 11 kills. Junior setters Kenna Robinson and Emily Blevins both handed out 21 assists.
Junior Kendyl Strack collected 20 digs for Westfield, which improved to 26-1 for the season.
The Shamrocks travel to Rochester this Saturday to play in the Class 4A north semi-state. No. 5 Crown Point plays Penn in the first semifinal at 10 a.m., then the second semifinal will be a noon showdown between Westfield and No. 1-ranked Fort Wayne Carroll. The championship match is set for 7 p.m.
Sheridan falls to Benton Central
Sheridan finished its historic season at the Class 2A Twin Lakes regional Saturday, Oct. 25, as the Blackhawks fell to No. 3-ranked Benton Central in a 25-14, 25-17, 25-8 sweep.
Lainey Mendenhall hit five kills for Sheridan, followed by Amiyah Doss with four, Lilli Thompson with three, Adria Jump with two and one each for Kelsie Hagan and Beth Adams.
Jump dished out 13 assists and served one ace. She also led the defense with 10 digs, followed by Mendenhall with nine, Meredith Krupp with eight, Hagan with six and Eva Todd with five. Jump had one solo block and one block assist, Mendenhall made one solo block and Doss had one block assist.,
“As we kept playing with the great and heart that this team has, I absolutely thought we would be here at the end of our season,” said Sheridan coach Melissa Jump.
Sheridan finished its season 19-11.
