Patriots capture title in sectional volleyball

By STEVE FIELDS

For the Banner Graphic

The Owen Valley Patriots ended Sullivan's reign over Class 3A Sectional 29 on Saturday night at Greencastle High School's McAnally Center. The Patriots advanced to the Jasper Regional with a 3-1 win over the Golden Arrows.

Owen Valley, now 29-6, won its first sectional since 2001 by controlling the net and taking advantage of the free balls from Sullivan.

"I feel like our offense is our strength. Sullivan is the type of team that is not going to give up. They'll give you free ball, free ball, whatever they can do, but they're going to put the ball back over the net at you. That's kind of what happened tonight, they kept waiting for us to make a mistake and we were solid enough to maintain and not do that," Owen Valley coach Rhonda Schafer said.

Owen Valley was led by Heather Gonser with 15 kills and 18 digs, Sidney Stines with 13 kills, 17 digs, six blocks and four aces and Jordyn Henson with 17 service points, four aces and 16 digs.

Sullivan was paced by Jenna Lisman with 14 kills, 10 digs and three points served. Kelsey Lane had 10 kills, four digs, five points and one ace and Brekiesha Weszely had 13 points, two aces, seven kills and eight digs.

Sullivan came from behind to tie game one and forced it into extra points, but lost 27-25. The Golden Arrows had a let down in game two before bouncing back to win game three.

"We just kind of melted down in that second game. We weren't passing as well, so we were having to hit the ball and not hit the ball, which gave them free reign on their offense and that hurt us," Sullivan coach Jennifer Murdock said.

Sullivan finished the season 20-13.

Championship

Sullivan 25 9 25 19

Owen Valley 27 25 18 25

Highlights -- For Sullivan, Jenna Lisman 14 kills, 10 digs and served 3 points; Kelsey Lane had 10 kills, 4 digs, 5 points and 1 ace; Brekiesha Weszely had 13 points, 2 aces, 7 kills and 8 digs; Lauren Adams passed out 42 assists, served 4 points, 2 aces and made 6 digs; Alexa Lankhaar had 8 kills, 8 digs and 2 points; Mikaela Chagnon made 14 digs, served 5 points, 1 ace and 1 assist.

For Owen Valley -- Heather Gonser had 15 kills and 18 digs, Sidney Stines had 13 kills, 17 digs, 6 blocks and 4 aces; Jordyn Henson served 17 points, 4 aces and 16 digs; Taylore Chestnut served 14 points, 6 aces and made 10 blocks; Autumn Vaughn passed out 22 assists and Nickole Gonser passed out 20 assists and made 8 kills.

Next match -- Owen Valley (28-6) advances to the 3A Regional on Saturday at Jasper. Sullivan finished the season 20-13.