By BECKY SHELLENBARGER– Senior girls volleyball captain Emma Stossel looks up to the scoreboard. Indiana is down 11-9 to Gateway. Stossel knows she must help lead her team to a victory over their returning co-section champions if they want to win the section outright. After a hard loss to Greensburg Salem two nights before, the girls only have one thing on their minds, redemption.
The team succeeded in their goal with the help of Stossel serving 16 straight points, finishing out the second game of the match. The team went on to finish the match in three sets (25-20, 25-11, 25-12). This win helped give the girls momentum to win the next three games, all 3-0.
Three key starters were lost due to graduation, but thinking of this year as a rebuilding year would be wrong. With seven seniors, all starters, this team has a lot of talent and experience to take advantage of. According to captain Allison Ream, who is in her third year as a starting middle hitter, “We work very well together and everyone is versatile. I see a section title in our future.”
There are many talented underclassmen on the team as well. Junior setter Kaitlyn Stossel is in her third season starting varsity. Having such a veteran setter at the helm of the offense is particularly helpful to the team. Unlike most setters, Kaitlyn is a very talented offensive player as well. With 84 assists and 19 kills for the season already, she is sure to help lead the team to more wins. Kaitlyn Stossel states, “I’ve learned a lot over the years, and leading the team is an important skill for running the offense. It’s my job to work with each hitter and help them improve their skills.”
Now that the season is at the midway point, the girls know their plan of action. So far they are 3-1 in their section, with their only loss to Greensburg Salem, they still have a viable shot at another section championship. It all comes down to beating Greensburg Salem at home on September 28th.
There is more significance to this match than just a section title, however. The match against Greensburg Salem is also the team’s charity game. Every year the team’s seniors choose a charity to raise money for. This year the seniors have chosen the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
According to Senior Emma Stossel, “Our Charity game against Greensburg Salem is going to be the biggest game of the year. We need to beat them to be section champs again. We’re going to need huge fan section to cheer us on and help us raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.” Fans can help support the team by coming to the game on September 28th. The cost of admission will go to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
With one-half of their season remaining the girls are fine-tuning their offensive skills and strengthening their defense. Every match counts as they look for a successful postseason. Good luck to the girls as they look for a section title and playoff berth.
[Photo by Carlie Glavach]
Photo Caption: “Senior Ally Brocious hits the ball around Gateway’s block to score a kill.”
