HENRYVILLE —
The Providence Pioneers came away from Henryville on Saturday with another volleyball sectional title after a win over Eastern, 25-17, 25-12, 25-11.
“I feel so excited,” Terri Purichia, Providence head coach said. “This team has been a dream to coach. I am very proud of them.”
The No. 2 Pioneers, who won their 27th sectional title in school history — tied for sixth in Indiana — will host Southwestern in the first round of the Forest Park Regional on Tuesday.
In the first set in Saturday’s championship, the Pioneers came out hungry and Eastern held on. Within minutes of the first set ending, with a score of 21-13, Eastern scored a few points due to a handful of Providence missed kills.
The Pioneers started strong again in the second set, making the score 5-1 early on. Eastern had some good blocking attempts, but Providence trudged on with a seven-point lead at 17-10 when the Pioneers made some unsuccessful blocks, but ultimately the Pioneers prevailed.
The third set was a runaway for the Pioneers, thanks to strong play by Providence and some careless mistakes by the Musketeers.
Eastern head coach Lisa Roberts said anytime they play Providence, it is a challenge for them.
“Overall I was pleased with their effort,” Roberts said of her team.
“We kept the momentum going,” Providence sophomore middle hitter Taylor Wilson said. We didn’t let them get points that were unnecessary.”
Top performers for the Pioneers include Taylor Wilson, middle hitter with eight kills and two aces. Haley Libs, outside hitter, had 11 kills, five digs and two aces. Jacquie Hornung, an outside hitter, had eight kills.
“I felt that everyone contributed and did their part,” Purichia said. “I think everybody has a role on this team and when we get everyone of the team to contribute, they are really hard to stop.
“Our serving game was good. We put a lot of pressure on them.”
As they prepare for regional play, Purichia said she’s not worried about her team. In fact, for such a young team, Purichia said, the Pioneers’ focus has improved throughout the season.
“They have shown they are very capable of focus. The characteristic that I love about this team is that they are gritty. They fight,” Purichia said.
“I think we will need a lot of intensity, touch serves and great passes,” Wilson said of the regional.
Earlier in the day, the Pioneers pounced Paoli, 25-11, 25-15, 25-18 to advance to the championship match.
Eastern eliminated Henryville, 24-26, 25-21, 25-18, 25-22 in the other semifinal on Saturday morning.
Kerri Cochran led the Hornets with 12 kills. Courtney Rappe added 10 kills, six aces and four blocks. Haley Huddleston had a Henryville-best 21 assists and Chelsea Lamotte finished with 17. Jasmine Harrell led the Hornets with 32 digs.
Floyd County Sports
H.S. VOLLEYBALL: Pioneers sweep Musketeers to win sectional crown
Henryville falls to Eastern in semifinal
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CLASS 4A, JEFF SECTIONAL: Highlanders, Stars to meet in semfinals
FC blows out Seymour , 16-3; Red Devils blow one-run lead in seventh to lose to BNL, 6-3
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COLLEGE NOTEBOOK: May 21, 2013
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
• Jeff Thompson (Louisville baseball, Floyd Central graduate, Jr.) — top performance: winning pitcher in a starting role in the Cardinals’ 12-4 home victory over Pittsburgh on Friday, seven innings pitched, three runs allowed (all earned), three hits, seven strikeouts, three walks; notes: Thompson became the sixth pitcher in U of L history to earn 10 or more victories in a season on Friday; he is one win away from tying the school record for most victories in a season; Friday’s win clinched the Cardinals a share of the Big East Conference championship; they claimed the outright conference title on Saturday with a 7-4 home triumph over the Panthers; team records: 46-10 overall, 20-4 Big East; Thompson’s record: 10-1. -
H.S. BASEBALL: Bulldogs beat Providence to win Sajko Invitational
New Albany’s 8-5 win gives Bulldogs 10th consecutive title
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H.S. BOYS' GOLF: Hornets, Highlanders take conference crowns
Davidson, three Borden players earn All-SAC honors
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H.S. SOFTBALL: Pursuit of sectional championships begin tonight
Jeff, Charlestown and Providence are Greg’s picks to win titles
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H.S. ROUNDUP: No. 1 Floyd goes 1-1, Jeff loses pair of one-run games
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H.S. BASEBALL: New Albany, Providence to square off in Sajko title game
Start time moved up to 1:30 due to threat of rain
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GIRLS' TENNIS SECTIONALS: Jeff gets by game Generals 3-2 for title
Floyd, Creek cruise to sectional crowns
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H.S. ROUNDUP: Red Devils beat East on Senior Night
Clarksville softball upsets Bulldogs, 6-4
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BOYS' TRACK: Highlanders run away with 11th straight sectional crown
Borden finishes program-best second; New Albany third, Clarksville fourth
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