by Beau Wicker
Pharos-Tribune
FULTON — FULTON — After a win over Tri-County Thursday, Caston’s volleyball team already has as many victories (six) after 10 matches than it did all of last season.
The Comets cruised past the Cavaliers in three games, 25-12, 25-19, 25-15, in their Midwest Conference opener.
“In practice we talk about how we want to change the association of volleyball here,” Caston senior Haley Markley said. “I think we did really well. We talked on the court and that’s what we mainly have to do to win.”
Markley led the Comets (6-4) with 20 kills, seven digs and four aces. Brittney Baldwin posted 16 kills and two blocks.
Brittney Offenberger had six kills and two aces, and Misty Gearhart added five kills and one block.
The Comets were able to avenge a two-game loss to the Cavaliers at the Tri-County Invitational last Saturday.
“I thought they stepped up [Thursday],” Caston coach Katie Williams said of her players. “One, they had more energy than we had on Saturday, and two, they were just ready to come out. They knew they had to play hard to beat them and to win their conference match.”
The Comets jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first game and never really looked back. In the most competitive set of the night, game two, the Comets at one point held a 15-5 lead.
One factor was that Tri-County didn’t have its top outside hitter in senior Kyra Hardebeck, who did play on Saturday. But with the score as lopsided as it was, Markley didn’t think Hardebeck’s presence would’ve changed the outcome of the match.
“Even if they did have her, we played hard, so I think we could have got them even if she was there playing with them,” she said.
Caston next hosts Lewis Cass Tuesday.
Pioneer 3, Northwestern 0
The Class A No. 1 Panthers won 25-15, 25-23, 25-13 in Royal Center.
Kelsey Williams had 11 kills for Pioneer (8-2), and Kattie Lee recorded eight kills and seven digs.
Cortney Hanson collected 27 assists and four aces, and Hillary Sharp had five kills and four digs. Marissa Centers floored six kills, and Tara McWherter had nine digs.
“Granted, we played a team that wasn’t Logansport’s caliber, but they were still pretty decent,” Pioneer coach Rod Nies said. “We played much better. We served a lot better. We served at a higher percentage and we served a lot tougher. Our ball control returned. Our serve receive was sharper. Everything was a lot sharper. We were hitting on all cylinders, so it was nice to see us bounce back from a poor performance against Logansport. Hopefully we will continue to forge ahead and hopefully we have a good showing Saturday at the Logansport Classic.”
Peru 3, Cass 1
Peru won a marathon four-game match at home, 32-30, 17-25, 25-22, 25-21.
Abby Ropes had 13 kills, 21 digs and six blocks to lead the Kings. Sydney DeHaven dished out 41 assists, and Emily Loe had 19 digs. Rachel Aldridge added eight kills and 23 service points. Brook Hill had two aces.
“We played better than we did earlier in the week. We just made too many unforced errors,” Cass coach Cheryl Lane said. “Peru did a good job of hanging in there and taking every point they could from us. We still have work to do on defense and blocking. If we can get those areas taken care of, we’ll be okay.”
Boys tennis
Logansport 4, Taylor 1
The Berries improved to 5-2 with the win at the LHS tennis courts.
Kevin Leung won 6-2, 6-0 at No. 1 singles, and Cory Rozzi won 6-3, 6-1 at No. 3 singles. Austin Johanning lost 6-1, 7-6 at No. 2 singles.
“Kevin Leung at No. 1 singles played his best tennis of the season,” Logan coach Mike Montgomery said. “I was very pleased with him.
“Cory Rozzi at No. 3 singles had another solid effort.”
Rick Brink and Dane Hamilton won 7-5, 6-3 at No. 1 doubles, and Kyle Ayers and Matt Turner won 6-2, 6-4 at No. 2 doubles.
“We just did enough to win in straight sets at doubles,” Montgomery said.
Girls golf
Lafayette Jeff 160, Logansport 215
Amy Worthington led the Berries with a 5-over 42. She was followed by Catie Keller (54), Katy Baar (58), Kait Wickersham (61), Alli Biggs (66), Alex Corcoran (67) and Megan Hildebrandt (68).
“Big hole numbers continue to destroy potentially good rounds,” Logan coach Bob Bannon said. “Jeff’s first three girls shot a 39, 39, 38 and then counted a 44. It was a great score by them.”
Twin Lakes 183, Benton Central 201, Pioneer 231
Mati DeWitt led Pioneer with a 54 at Pine View Golf Course. She was followed by Nicole Schroder (58), Randi Miller (59) and Brooklyn Justice (60).
Twin Lakes’ Grace Amsler earned medal honors with a 42.
Triton 222, Northfield 247, Caston 270
Jada Powlen paced Caston with a 53 at Pond View Golf Course. She was followed by Chelsey Dague (56), Katie Williamson (80) and Tierney Rentschler (81).
Triton’s Emily Duff was the medalist with a 38.
Taylor 189, Peru 205
Taylor’s Amy Lipchik shot 43 to snag medalist honors at Peru Municipal.
For the Bengals, Jessie Eckerely shot 44, Ariel Edwards shot 51, Lauren Conner shot 53 and Maddy Eddy shot 57.
Boys soccer
N. Miami 4, Winamac 1
Winamac recorded a better result than last week’s 6-0 loss to the same team.
Freshman Branden DeGroot found the back of the net for his first varsity goal for the Warriors (0-4).
“We really picked it up [Thursday],” Mark Eber said. “The final result does not show it, but this was a much better game than the score shows. We played without Will Kocher and minus one more from our bench, and the 16 kids we had really stepped up. Evan Rose got plugged into the defense last week and struggled at times, but [Thursday], with the experience from last week, he was one of the best players we had on the field.
“I was disappointed that a couple mistakes ultimately cost us a chance at a win or even a tie, but the team really busted their tails and the younger guys contributed a ton. I’m happy Branden got his first goal. It’s the first of many before he’s done, I’m sure. The result is obviously disappointing, but the effort and total play was great for us to build on.”
Carroll 4, Central Catholic 2
The Cougars three-peated as Hoosier Heartland Conference champions with the win in Lafayette.
An Elliott Packard goal on a Jarvis Simmons assist gave Carroll (5-1) a 1-0 lead at halftime. CC’s Matt Bouggy answered with back-to-back goals before Simmons found the back of the net on an assist by Justin Willoughby tied the game. Tim Ruby gave the Cougars a 3-2 lead on an assist by Alex Atkisson. Simmons again found the back of the net for insurance on an assist by Stephen Murphy.
Western 6, Maconaquah 3, OT
The teams were tied 3-all through regulation at Russiaville before the home team took control in overtime.
Austin Waite, Corey Minard and Christian Figueroa each scored for Maconaquah. Minard had two assists and goalie Jordan Bradley had an assist on a long distribution. Bradley also had nine saves. Maconaquah fell to 2-2-2, 1-1 MIC.
“Both teams were really hard and that’s what it needs to be,” Mac coach Doug Howlette said. “I don’t think there was any dirty play, it was just tough; not sure the referees handled the yellow cards properly and it’s just one of those things. I thought it was a great game all around. It really was.”
GIRLS SOCCER
Western 4, Maconaquah 1
The host Braves struck first but the Panthers equalized before halftime then scored three more after the break.
Girls CC
North Miami 28, Peru 27
Peru’s Keyia McConahay was the winner with Gena Fisher placing third and Kyia Haidaczuk was fifth.
“We had a few personal records with Gena Fisher shaving off a whole minute from her personal best,” Peru coach Eric Isenburg said.
Boys CC
Peru 22, North Miami 33
The Tigers’ pack was tight with all five of its runners in the top eight.
Peru’s Jordan Garretson placed second. Tyler Kinter was third. Clint Hazelett came in fourth. Ryan Carter took fifth place, and Shane Garretson was eighth.
“We ran especially well,” Isenburg said. “I am really proud of how our team has responded this week. We have had two hard practices and two meets in four days. Combine that with our kids lifting two days this week, and it makes for tired legs after the meet.”
