Earlier this season, the two EIAC titans played twice and each team defended its home floor with a 3-1 victory. The one major difference was the Tiger W at Lawrenceburg was a conference match. LHS went on to share the EIAC with East Central and Connersville (all 6-1).
During Saturday’s third Bucs/Stripes installment of 2021 with a sectional crown on the line, Greensburg dominated the first set to the tune of 25-11.
In game two, the Pirates led by as many as three early, 5-2. The Tigers stayed close and got their only lead at 10-8. Trailing 11-9, Greensburg scored six straight to go up 15-11 and held the advantage the rest of the way. The final score of set two was 25-18.
The third set was very entertaining. Greensburg was going for a sweep and Lawrenceburg was fighting to survive and extend the match to a fourth set.
The ladies in blue and black swapped leads eight times and were tied a total of 13. Neither team led by more than three points. With Lawrenceburg up 21-19, Greensburg scored three consecutive points to grab the final lead change of the night, 22-1. The Tigers tied the game at 22, 23 and 24, but the Pirates then finally put two points together to win the set 26-24 and the sectional title 3-0.
“It was a great day for us, and it took the entire team to capture the title,” said Greensburg coach June Rigney. “Our first match against Batesville, we started slowly but found a way to win which allowed us to advance to the finals. In the match against Lawrenceburg, we came out strong and played pretty well throughout the entire match. We broke their momentum streaks and made some key plays at important times.”
“It’s evident from our stat line, that all members of the team were instrumental in the victories,” stated Rigney. “I am so proud of their effort, focus and determination to beat two good teams in one day, and all the girls bought into their roles on the court. The final point of the championship match was served by our only senior, Kayla Kelso, which was a great way to capture the title.”
Greensburg stat leaders for the two matches from coach Rigney:
- Serving- Abigail Hoeing 44-46, 2 aces; Josie Nobbe, 31-31, 5 aces; Janae Comer, 29-29, 1 ace, Jenna Foster 21-22 and Kenedee Lowe, 17-18, 4 aces
- Kills- J. Nobbe 27, Ella Chapman 22, Carlee Adams 11 and Leah West 7
- Digs- Hoeing 33, Christina Fogg 21 and Comer 19
- Assists- Foster 35, West 15 and J. Nobbe 12
- Blocks- Chapman 12, Adams 6, West 4, J. Nobbe 4, Claire Nobbe 2
Lawrenceburg ends its season at 24-8. Greensburg plays on at the next level for a second straight year with a record of 21-6.
At the Charlestown Regional on Saturday, October 23, the Pirates will play Evansville Memorial (22-6) at 10 am. Although the Tigers did not win their sectional in 2020, this is Memorial’s fifth regional appearance in the last eight years.
The other half of the bracket in the (apx) 12 pm semifinal will pit Silver Creek (21-11) against Barr-Reeve (22-8).
This is the fifth straight regional for the Dragons who are the defending champions and also regional title winners in three of their previous four appearances. The 11 losses are incredibly misleading. Silver Creek arguably plays one of the toughest schedules in the entire state.
For the Vikings, they are playing up a class. B-R was last year’s 2A state champion. The Vikings had won four straight regionals in 2A and 10 regionals over the prior 13 seasons.
We thank coaches June Rigney of Greensburg, Staci Knigga of Lawrenceburg, Kateri Paul of Batesville and Denise Rose of South Dearborn for their information and assistance during our sectional broadcasts. We also thank Greensburg Volleyball for the photo.