There’s no really nice way to put this: Lake Central seniors Jackie Eader and Tori Gardenhire did not like each other in middle school.
But when Eader and Gardenhire entered Lake Central, the two put their differences aside, thanks to their circle of friends.
“We didn’t get along very well in middle school because we were both middle hitters,” Gardenhire said. “I went to Clark Middle School and she went to Kahler, and we were huge rivals.”
The two didn’t get the chance to play together freshman year because Gardenhire spent the 2012 season on varsity. Meanwhile, Eader, her friends and Gardenhire’s friends played together on the freshmen team.
That was a historic season for the Indians’ varsity as the school won its first regional championship in 18 years.
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But something was missing for Gardenhire.
“It’s the best feeling accomplishing (that feat),” she said. “But I didn’t feel like I was that big a part of it. I couldn’t understand what that meant to the seniors. So those are my biggest goals, and it would mean even more to celebrate it with my best friends.”
Gardenhire gained a best friend in Eader following that freshmen season.
“We started to warm up to each other freshman year but last year, we really got close,” said Gardenhire, a four-year varsity member. “All of my friends were on the freshmen team and they were saying, ‘You would get along so well with Jackie. She’s so funny. You guys have like the same personality.’
“And on the bus one time, we were all singing together and laughing and being girls.”
Eader said it was easy to become friends with Gardenhire once they put their middle school days behind them.
“We used to play the same position so we were the biggest enemies, but I love her now and I love playing with her,” Eader said. “She’s a really good motivator and she’s someone I need on the court.”
The Indians also are off to a strong start, rolling off 10 wins in their first 12 matches, including an important win over Munster in three games.
The Mustangs knocked LC out of the state tournament the past two seasons and Gardenhire, Eader and their five senior teammates are focused on getting past the Mustangs to win the school’s first sectional title since 2012.
“The seven of us have known each other for so long and it’s going to be a great year playing together,” Gardenhire said. “The win against Munster was big, especially because of sectionals last season. It’s always been a huge rivalry and that’s my biggest goal — beating Munster in sectionals.”
There’s still a long way to go, though.
The Indians opened conference play with a three-game sweep over Chesterton on Thursday. LC will battle Valparaiso for the Duneland Athletic Conference title once again. The Indians won conference in 2013, but the Vikings won it back last season.
LC coach Tina Tinberg said she has the type of kids who can take the team on another historical run.
“They are great leaders and great friends, on and off the court,” Tinberg said of the seniors. “They are great personalities and great, quality character kids, too.”
And they are off to a great start.
Ryan Haskell is a freelance writer for the Post-Tribune.
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL TOP 10
Results through Sunday. Last week’s ranking in parentheses.
1. Valparaiso (1)
2. Lake Central (3)
3. Munster (2)
4. Bishop Noll (4)
5. Crown Point (5)
6. LaPorte (6)
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7. Andrean (7)
8. Portage (NR)
9. Chesterton (10)
10. Washington Twp. (NR)
Player of the Week: Portage junior Tatyana Schmitt led the Indians (5-0) to three wins last week, including a conference-opening win Thursday over Merrillville. Schmitt totaled 36 kills and 34 digs in those three matches.