More Top Picks Best Noise Canceling Earbuds For Sensory Sensitivity
player ready...Crown Point came to Ball State University’s Worthen Arena to win the Class 4A state championship match against Indianapolis Cathedral.
But it’s hard to gauge just how much experience can take over on the big stage.
The Fighting Irish’s experience ended up being to hard to overcome Saturday, as the Bulldogs dropped a 25-21, 25-21, 20-25, 25-20 decision to defending state champions.
Coming in, coach Jean Kesterson had led Cathedral (31-4) to seven state titles in 14 championship match appearances.
But if Crown Point (36-4) was nervous, it didn’t show as the Bulldogs took leads in all four games — including a 14-10 lead in Game 2 that could have taken the match a different direction.
“They might have had the X-factor with their experience,” Crown Point coach Alison Duncan said. “Their kids have been here before for the warmups and the little things.
“But then again, this was our first experience, and we were excited to be here at the arena and just to be a part of the experience.”
If experience played a factor, Cathedral’s Nia Robinson showed just how relentless she could her third time around, finished with 27 kills and 12 digs.
Robinson, who was named the 4A Mental Attitude Award Winner, had a team-high 15 kills in last year’s state championship win over Fort Wayne Carroll.
Florida State recruit Alania Chacon delivered the match of her life in her state finals debut for Crown Point with 19 kills and 15 digs. She to almost every ball humanly possible on the court.
Chacon even recorded an incredible dig kill in the second game. She was nearly unstoppable.
“She’s a gamer,” Duncan said. “Alaina is going to FSU because she’s cool, calm and collected under pressure.”
Sister Morgan Chacon was just as potent, closing with 16 kills and seven digs. Reece Kral added nine blocks. Junior setter Alex Equihua ran a flawless offense with 43 assists and 10 digs.
Senior Jessica Yukich contributed seven blocks in her final match, while senior Alyssa Hill had 17 digs.
A win for the Bulldogs would have given a Lake County high school its first-ever girls volleyball state championship. The last team from Northwest Indiana to win a state title was Marquette Catholic in 2009.
“We had a tremendous season,” Duncan said. “It was cool that we played in the final high school match in 2016. It was just the little things (that cost us). A couple missed serves and a couple misses on serve receive. I was proud of the blocking.
“I told the girls it’s hard paving the way. They showed everyone what you have to do to get here.”
Ryan Haskell is a freelance writer for the Post-Tribune.