Brownstown volleyball team rolls through regional

FERDINAND - Coach Jennifer Shade said winning the regional Saturday night at Forest Park High School was just another step in Brownstown Central's bid to bring home the school's first Class 2A state championship.

"We're on our way to the state finals," Shade said as her thoughts turned to her seventh straight trip to the state finals and ninth overall. "I do this for the kids to get this experience, so every time I come it is the same way. I'm so happy for the kids that are out there winning that they all feel the same to me. I just want to see kids experience this."

The Braves defeated Forest Park 25-18, 25-21, 25-8 in the finals after topping South Knox 25-6, 25-7, 25-15 in the opening round.

"We just did what we had to do to win," Shade said "We stayed healthy, nobody got hurt and we'll move on. We would have liked to have sped it up even a little bit more, but when they play so slow it's hard for us to keep that fast pace going."

The opening game against the Rangers was nip-and-tuck most of the way. The Rangers held an 18-17 lead before Braves used three kills by Whitney Tormoehlen, a pair of aces by Brianna Baughman, and an attacking error by Forest Park top put the game away.

"It means the most to me because it's my senior year, and it's my last year." Tormoehlen said. "(Regional titles) have all meant something but this one means a little extra because it is my senior year.

"We just tried to speed it up and hit hard with no tips or anything, just swing hard and hit the holes in the blocks."

The Braves held an 11-5 lead in the second game following a kill by Emily Sommers. The Rangers closed to 18-15 before BC scored  four straight points. Jordyn Pendleton spiked game point.

 Sommers sprained an ankle against Floyd Central the final home match, and missed the tournament at Carmel, but returned for the sectional.  She said she feels like she is back to 100 percent. "It hurts a little after I get done playing, but during the game I don't ever feel it."

Sommers, who started at right side hitter her sophomore year, had nine kills against the Rangers and says she is looking forward to the state finals. 

"I'm real excited this year. I think we're really good. We were good last year, but I feel this year we're closer and we have a good chance of winning."

Brownstown held a 6-1 lead following kill by Sommers in the third game, and were on top 15-9 when they scored seven straight points to take a 22-9 lead.

Pendleton spiked match point and had 12 kills in the match.

The Braves were 70-77-7 serving against the Rangers,  and Shade said, "We missed a few more than we expects but we were really trying to serve at people. So that's okay."

Semi finals
The Braves jumped out to quick leads in the first two games against South Knox.

BC held a 7-3 lead in the first game following a tip by Sommers, then led 11-4 on a kill by Tormoehlen, and 18-5 on an ace by Morgan Wesner.

An ace by Sammie Bane gave BC a 4-1 lead in the second game, an ace by Pendleton made it a 14-3 game, and a kill by Katelyn Shoemaker set the score at 23-6.

In the third game, three straight aces by Pendleton broke a 3-3 tie and put the Braves on top for good.. Another ace by Brianna Baughman set the score 11-5.

The Braves had 44 kills and Shade said, "We run a little bit quicker offense than South Knox was used to seeing , so I think we were able to dominate at the net just because they weren't used to that."
Tormoehlen had 12 kills and Pendleton 11 kills against the Spartans, while Shoemaker had eight kills and eight digs.

The Braves will take their 28-7 record to Delta High School, north of Muncie Saturday where they will play Southwood at 9 a.m. Burris and Fairfield will play in the second game.

Results

Forest Park Regional
Brownstown def. South Knox 25-6, 25-7, 25-15
BC serving: Pendleton 19-21-5, Bane 11-11-1, Tormoehlen 10-10-2, team 70-74-13; hitting: Tormoehlen 18-19-12, Pendleton 20-22-11, Shoemaker 12-13-8; digs: Shoemaker 8, Morgan Wesner 7, Tormoehlen 7.

Brownstown def. Forest Park 25-18, 25-21, 25-8.
BC serving:  Tormoehlen 10-10, Morgan Wesner 10-10,  Baughman 17-18-4, tea, 70-77-7; hitting: Pendleton 22-24-12, Tormoehlen 16-17-9, Sommers 15-16-9, team 70-77-37; digs: Tormoehlen 6, Shoemaker 5.

Final Four
Saturday
At Delta High School
9 a.m. - Brownstown (28-7) vs. Southwood (29-6)
10:30 a.m. - Burris (34-4) vs. Fairfield (36-2)
Winners advance to Ball State at 4:15 p.m.