Warsaw Volleyball’s Fantastic Run Ends In Regional Final
October 23, 2022 at 8:50 p.m.
Warsaw Volleyball’s Fantastic Run Ends In Regional Final
By Connor McCann-
“We had about a 45-minute discussion after the game, and we told them they had nothing to hang their heads about, their season was so special,” head coach Chandra Hepler said. “We had two big goals going into this season and we believed that everything after that was icing on the cake. But to be so close to having another piece of cake, it was disappointing, and we were sad it was over.”
The Tigers began the game with a white-hot start. An emphatic kill attempt by Lake Central middle blocker Brianne Salinas was denied at the net by Leah Henderson, catapulting a 5-2 start for Warsaw. The lead would not last for long however, as the Indians took their turn owning the action at the net. Lake Central used a combination of floor-shattering kills and devastating blocks to reverse fortunes and jump out to a 12-7 advantage.
The Tigers would answer with a run of their own with defensive specialist Claire Reichenbach serving. Lake Christian would be forced to use a timeout after five straight points from the Northern Lakes Conference representative tied the game. The set would remain close for the rest of the way. With the teams knotted up at 23, it would be the Indians scoring the final two to take the first game.
The second set was Warsaw’s turn to answer. The Tigers jumped out to a 5-0 lead, forcing an early timeout. There would be some resistance from Lake Central, but it would not be enough. Despite the Indians getting within one a couple of times, Warsaw would hold on for a convincing second set victory.
Lake Central did not allow the momentum to flip after dropping the second set. The Indians cruised to a 5-1 lead that the team eventually turned into a 17-10 advantage. Lake Central looked to be on its way to an easy 2-1 advantage with the team’s lead at 24-18, but Warsaw would not go away easily. The Tigers rattled off five straight points with senior outside hitter Kaylee Weeks serving to trim the deficit to one. That’s as far as Warsaw would get though, as Lake Central was able to finish off the set for its second 25-23 victory in three games.
“We felt like we could have won that match, especially the first one. That really set the tone for the rest of the night,” Hepler said.
The Indians took control of the fourth set early and never let up. The last remaining team from the Duneland Conference extended its lead to six at 15-9 and only extended it from there, winning the set and the match.
Earlier in the day, Warsaw defeated host school LaPorte 3-0 (25-23, 25-14, 25-20) to avenge a tournament loss to the Slicers on September 24. Weeks was phenomenal in the first game, racking up 18 kills in the three sets. The Tigers end the season with a 24-9 record, the team’s most wins in a season since 2019. The team’s sectional championship was its first since 2018. Warsaw’s last regional title came in 1996.
“They have left their mark on Warsaw volleyball forever and it was such a special season. For next year, the bar has been set and I know the girls next year are going to be motivated to get to the same spot,” Hepler said.
Lake Central will take on Indiana No. 1 Hamilton Southeastern in the semi-state round. Hamilton Southeastern is also ranked No. 7 in the country.
“We had about a 45-minute discussion after the game, and we told them they had nothing to hang their heads about, their season was so special,” head coach Chandra Hepler said. “We had two big goals going into this season and we believed that everything after that was icing on the cake. But to be so close to having another piece of cake, it was disappointing, and we were sad it was over.”
The Tigers began the game with a white-hot start. An emphatic kill attempt by Lake Central middle blocker Brianne Salinas was denied at the net by Leah Henderson, catapulting a 5-2 start for Warsaw. The lead would not last for long however, as the Indians took their turn owning the action at the net. Lake Central used a combination of floor-shattering kills and devastating blocks to reverse fortunes and jump out to a 12-7 advantage.
The Tigers would answer with a run of their own with defensive specialist Claire Reichenbach serving. Lake Christian would be forced to use a timeout after five straight points from the Northern Lakes Conference representative tied the game. The set would remain close for the rest of the way. With the teams knotted up at 23, it would be the Indians scoring the final two to take the first game.
The second set was Warsaw’s turn to answer. The Tigers jumped out to a 5-0 lead, forcing an early timeout. There would be some resistance from Lake Central, but it would not be enough. Despite the Indians getting within one a couple of times, Warsaw would hold on for a convincing second set victory.
Lake Central did not allow the momentum to flip after dropping the second set. The Indians cruised to a 5-1 lead that the team eventually turned into a 17-10 advantage. Lake Central looked to be on its way to an easy 2-1 advantage with the team’s lead at 24-18, but Warsaw would not go away easily. The Tigers rattled off five straight points with senior outside hitter Kaylee Weeks serving to trim the deficit to one. That’s as far as Warsaw would get though, as Lake Central was able to finish off the set for its second 25-23 victory in three games.
“We felt like we could have won that match, especially the first one. That really set the tone for the rest of the night,” Hepler said.
The Indians took control of the fourth set early and never let up. The last remaining team from the Duneland Conference extended its lead to six at 15-9 and only extended it from there, winning the set and the match.
Earlier in the day, Warsaw defeated host school LaPorte 3-0 (25-23, 25-14, 25-20) to avenge a tournament loss to the Slicers on September 24. Weeks was phenomenal in the first game, racking up 18 kills in the three sets. The Tigers end the season with a 24-9 record, the team’s most wins in a season since 2019. The team’s sectional championship was its first since 2018. Warsaw’s last regional title came in 1996.
“They have left their mark on Warsaw volleyball forever and it was such a special season. For next year, the bar has been set and I know the girls next year are going to be motivated to get to the same spot,” Hepler said.
Lake Central will take on Indiana No. 1 Hamilton Southeastern in the semi-state round. Hamilton Southeastern is also ranked No. 7 in the country.
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092