Page 20 - 2017-18 Volleyball State Finals Program

Last Year’s State Finals in Review

Cathedral Repeats as Class 4A State Champ

Fourth-ranked Indianapolis Cathedral repeated as Class
4A state champion, taking a 25-21, 25-21, 20-25, 25-20
decision from top-ranked Crown Point at Worthen Arena in
Muncie.
Cathedral (31-4) returned five starters from last year’s 36-0
titleist team, and that experience paid off.
Senior Nia Robinson drilled the final two kills of the match
and set the four-set state championship record with 27,
eclipsing the 25 set by Cathedral alum Danita Merlau in
2004. Mattison Norris tallied 17 kills and Emily Kleck 13 for
the Irish. Maria Schorr accounted for 57 assists and Payton
White dug out 20 on defense.
The win over the Bulldogs (36-4) was the third regular
season loss avenged by Cathedral (31-4) during the state
tournament. The Irish had surrendered a five-set home loss
to Crown Point back on Aug. 27 and had also taken out
ninth-ranked Lawrence North in the sectional and second-
ranked Avon at semi-state to earn the trip to Muncie.
It was the school’s eighth volleyball crown, third-most in
state history, and all have come under the leadership of
27th year coach Jean Kesterson.
Crown Point (36-4) was led on offense by Alaina and Mor-
gan Chacon with 19 and 16 kills, respectively. Alyssa Hill
chalked up 17 digs on defense. The Bulldogs were making
their first appearance in a volleyball state championship
match under fifth-year coach Alison Duncan.
Top-Ranked Yorktown Tops Providence for 3A Crown
Providence had its eyes set on winning its fourth con-
secutive state championship, but Yorktown had plans of
its own with a 25-17, 21-25, 25-22, 25-22 victory in the
Class 3A volleyball state championship.
In the rematch of last year’s final, Yorktown secured
its third volleyball crown (2000, 2011) after settling for
the runner-up spot a year ago. It was the school’s sixth
state title in any sport.
Kenzie Knuckles led the Tigers with 30 kills and 18
digs. Knuckles’ 30 kills earned her the four-set kills
state championship record, nearly doubling the previous
record of 17. Teammate Kylie Murr also snagged 18
digs while Olivia Reed followed with 17 of her own. Set-
ter Bella Rosenthall ended the night with 46 assists and
Kate Vinson claimed three service aces in the game.
Ninth-year head coach Stephanie Bloom helped lead
the Tigers to a 37-1 record, closing with 27 straight
victories.
The Pioneers (34-6) were led by Marissa Hornung who
totaled 17 kills, one block and 10 digs. Mia Fougrousse
and Courtney Glotzbach grabbed 13 and 10 kills,
respectively. Lexie Libs led Providence in assists with
48 while Cheyenne Brooks completed 21 digs.
Providence was led to its fifth consecutive state title
match by 18th-year coach Terri Purichia. The Pioneers
suffered their first tournament loss since their 2012
runner-up season snapping a string of 26 straight
tournament matches.
20 IHSAA - Pure Spirit. Pure Sport. Pure INDIANA!