Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
COLUMBIA CITY - The intensity and the high level of play, it was exactly what Warsaw Community High School volleyball coach Doug West was looking for.
The only place the Tigers were lacking, however, was on the scoreboard.
In a well-played match by both teams, the Carroll Chargers beat Warsaw 25-16, 19-25, 25-13, 25-19 in the championship of the Columbia City Sectional Saturday evening.
Though the loss ended Warsaw's season, the match was full of excitement and what West called "good volleyball."
"We came in playing to win, we thought we could win," said West, whose Tigers finished the season with a 25-10 record. "Sure we're disappointed we're not advancing, that was our goal, but what a high level of volleyball. The intensity and the enthusiasm was great. We played really well under pressure. I thought it was a great match."
With the sectional championship, Carroll improved to 20-13 on the season and advanced to Saturday's Huntington North Regional, where the Chargers will square off with McCutcheon. Fort Wayne Northrop and Muncie Central will battle in the other regional semifinal.
"Carroll is a nice team," said West. "I certainly wish them well. They have a great opportunity to represent our sectional well."
After the teams split the first two games of the championship match, with Carroll winning the first and Warsaw victorius in the second, the Chargers took control in the third game and raced out to a 17-6 lead.
Leading 2-1 in the best-of-five match, Carroll had its hands full in the fourth game, as the score was tied eight times in what turned out to be the final game.
West called a timeout with his team trailing 22-19, and then Carroll was able to string together the final three points of the game, the last of which came on a kill by senior Courtney Perrine.
"Even though we lost, I'm really thrilled with the girls' overall intensity and their high level of play," said West.
The Tigers opened sectional play Saturday morning by beating East Noble 21-25, 25-9, 25-23, 25-16.
Carroll beat DeKalb Thursday and then defeated host Columbia City Saturday after the Tigers beat East Noble.
For Warsaw, five seniors played their final high school volleyball match Saturday night.
Graduating from this year's 25-10 team will be Danielle DeGeeter, Kacie Conley, Selina Long, Jill Kreinbrink and Kate Miller.
"They are five seniors who had a tremendous work ethic," said West. "They had an enjoyment of the game of volleyball. They really helped with the team chemistry and made this season a lot of fun. We accomplished a lot of things this year and had a lot of fun."
Junior Kate Denlinger led Warsaw in kills Saturday, compiling 23 on the day, while DeGeeter and freshman Sarah Shilling had 17 each.
DeGeeter and Long had 29 and 27 digs, respectively, while Kreinbrink had 22.
DeGeeter also led the team with 35 assists, while Denlinger led with eight blocks.
CARROLL DEF. WARSAW 25-16, 19-25, 25-13, 25-19 (championship)
WARSAW DEF. EAST NOBLE 21-25, 25-9, 25-23, 25-16
(Warsaw leaders)
Kills - Kate Denlinger 23, Sarah Shilling 17, Danielle DeGeeter 17, Jill Kreinbrink 15, Alexis Albertson 7, Laura Long 4
Digs - DeGeeter 29, Selina Long 27, Kreinbrink 22, Denlinger 14, L. Long 11, Shelby Runnells 10, Albertson 10, Kate Miller 8, Shilling 8, Kacie Conley 6, Allison Reichard 5
Blocks - Denlinger 8, Shilling 4, Albertson 4, DeGeeter 2, Kreinbrink 1
Assists - DeGeeter 35, Miller 19, Reichard 11, Denlinger 1, L. Long 1, S. Long 1
Service points - Denlinger 19, Shilling 14, Runnells 14, Reichard 10, DeGeeter 10, Kreinbrink 7, Miller 2
