SPORTS

October 25, 2011

South Ripley Lady Raiders revolt,
sends S'western Hanover Lady Rebels packin'

Gary Franklin, Sports Editor

A South Ripley Lady Raider volleyball team that all fans knew existed, finally emerged to show their true identity in the championship match on Saturday, October 22, during IHSAA Class 2A Volleyball Sectional #45 action. Hosted by South Ripley High School, the Lady Raiders soundly defeated the 2011 ORVC champion Southwestern Hanover Lady Rebels in three consecutive games to secure the sectional championship crown and the right to advance to regional action on Tuesday, October 25, at SRHS.
The attitude the girls had, as they prepared to enter their afternoon match against the Austin Lady Eagles, was positive and to the point. "We're gonna win this thing," commented Lady Raider junior Allie Linkmeyer, as her and a teammate walked down the hallway toward the gym.
That they did!
IHSAA Sectional #45 volleyball action leading up to the crowning of the SR Lady Raiders as champions began on Thursday evening, October 20, with a pair of games slated.
Thursday evening
ND vs SwH
In opening the tournament, the North Decatur Lady Chargers battled the Southwestern Hanover Lady Rebels. SwH captured the best of five match in three consecutive games by winning scores of 25-14, 25-12, and 25-13.
SwH got off to a 7-0 run lead in game two, but found the competition a little tougher in the third game as ties were recorded at 6, 7, and 8 after getting off to a 4-0 lead.
However, from the tie at eight, it was a smooth slide for the Lady Rebels
Milan vs Switz. Co.
Game two featured the Milan Lady Indians and the Switzerland County Lady Pacers battling for the right to advance to Saturday morning action.
The Lady Indians played their way into Saturday competition by winning three consecutive games for the match victory by scores of 25-19, 25-18 and 25-15.
The first game found ties at 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 before SC gained an 9-7 edge. The game was again knotted at 10 from which Milan controlled the flow for their 25-19 first game win.
Saturday morning
SwH vs Milan
Saturday morning action began with Thursday night winners facing off at 11 a.m. The Milan Lady Indians got off to a positive start with a 25-15 win over the Southwestern Hanover Lady Rebels, then found themselves knotted at 17 in game two of the match before falling 21-25 to the Lady Rebels.
SwH secured the match victory after capturing two more game wins by scores of 25-7 and 25-21.
SR vs Austin
South Ripley met their first battle in match action against the Austin Lady Eagles, where they played to a three consecutive game match victory by game scores of 25-9, 25-10 and 25-19, filling the slate for the championship match on Saturday evening.
In game three of the match, Raider Coach Phil King rotated his bench into the lineup to give them some sectional playing time.
Saturday night
SR vs SwH Championship Match
The championship match was a three game title match of domination by the Lady Raiders. From the opening volley, there was a different air about the team on the floor, that hadn't availed itself for most of the season. Long overdue, but showing up when it meant the most.
As smiles between players and confidence grew, this night found every earmark of belonging to the Lady Raiders and their four seniorteam member leadership.
Game one, a 25-20 victory. Game two, another nail in the Lady Rebel coffin as SR won 25-22. Game three, the deal sealer, saw SR amass a 25-20 third game victory for the 2011 IHSAA Class 2A Volleyball Sectional Championship!
Support student athletes!
Per IHSAA information posted included: the IHSAA (Indiana High School Athletic Association) has been in existance since 1903.
The SRHS Volleyball Sectional #45 was one of 1,245 tournament events hosted among its 411 member schools this year. The sports include 10 boys and 10 girls sports where some 160,000 Indiana High School athletes will compete.
IHSAA Class 2A Regional
South Ripley HS will host the 2A regional match between 17-12 SR and 25-13 Providence on Tuesday, October 25. Game time is 7 p.m.

Pictured center, South Ripley High School Principal Robert Meyer, on behalf of the hosting school for the 2011 IHSAA Girls Volleyball Sectional #45, delivers the championship trophy and ball to South Ripley Lady Raider seniors pictured from left: Kaitlyn Welch 4, Jessica Foster 8, Whitney Walker 5 and Kasey King 7. As winners of the sectional, South Ripley High School will be the host site for the Class 2A Regional that is slated to be contested on Tuesday evening, October 25.