VB: 4A #5 Carmel routs 4A #1 defending runner-up Avon in three

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By E. Shawn Aylsworth
Managing Editor

CARMEL – Sophomore outside hitter Carly Skjodt had a match-high 14 kills to lead Class 5A fifth-ranked host Carmel to a three-set sweep of defending 4A state runner-up top-ranked Avon.

The resurgent Greyhounds – a 28-time sectional champion, Carmel has failed to advance out of the sectional the last two seasons – sent a serious message about potential title contender with their 25-20, 25-16, and 25-17 victory Aug. 21 at the Eric Clark Activities Center.

That sweep followed on the heels of victories in the Greyhounds’ first four matches against Hamilton Southeastern, Roncalli, Sacred Heart (KY), and Holy Cross (KY).

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO PLAYER TO THE RIGHT OF THE HOME PAGE FOR A POST-MATCH INTERVIEW WITH CARMEL COACH RICH COLEMAN!!

Junior outside hitter Carly Durr (nine kills) led a balanced attacking offense that included eight from 6'3" senior middle hitter Lauren Pitz and six from junior middle/outside hitter Emily Stebbins, with Durr adding 14 digs and Skjodt 10. Grace Muller had match highs of 18 digs and two service aces for second-year Carmel coach Rich Coleman.

Avon was led by the nine kills of 6’3” sophomore OH Beth Prince, with sophomore OH Calle Weddle and junior setter Rachel Griffin adding seven digs apiece.

“I thought Carmel played well and we didn't – that's usually how it goes when that happens,” said Avon coach Scott McQueen, whose undefeated Orioles fell in four games to Penn in last year’s 4A championship. “Rich is doing a good job with them, and they have a lot of good players.

“I have to do a better job with our players because we have great players as well. I just haven't put them in good positions so far to succeed.”

Next up for Carmel is an Aug. 25 opening-round battle with Harrison (West Lafayette) at the prestigious Mishawaka Invitational. Avon – a three-set-sweep winner over Center Grove and Hamilton Southeastern to open the season – stays right in the fire with an Aug. 23 home date versus 4A No. 7 Westfield.

The box score, courtesy of VarVee.com:

Avon
GP SET (A) ATTACKING (K E TA Hpct) SERVING (SA SE ACES PTS) DEFENSE (D BS BA TB)
No. Name (Yr)
2 Logan Beeson (Jr) 0.000
3 Calle Weddle (So) 3 8 7 27 0.037 12 7 1 1
4 Lindsay Thompson (Jr) 3 1 2 8 -0.125 1 1 1
5 Kayla Springer (Sr) 3 3 3 8 0.000 3 3 3
6 Brooke Peters (So) 3 1 0.000 7 1 1
7 Lauren Johnson (Sr) 0.000
8 Beth Prince (So) 3 1 9 8 29 0.034 8 1 1 6 1 1
9 Kennedy Wilson (Fr) 1 0.000 3 1
10 Rebekah Strange (Jr) 3 1 0.000 13 1 6
11 Shelby Connors (Jr) 0.000
12 Ali Rhoades (So) 0.000
14 Mallory Moench (Jr) 1 0.000 1
15 Rachel Griffin (Jr) 3 18 1 2 5 -0.200 7 7 4 4
16 Maddie Jennings (So) 1 0.000
17 Emily Graves (Sr) 3 3 12 0.250 1 4 5
19 Emma Carmichael (Jr) 0.000
TOTALS     21 25 22 89 0.034 54 4 2 0 27 1 14 15

Carmel
GP SET (A) ATTACKING (K E TA Hpct) SERVING (SA SE ACES PTS) DEFENSE (D BS BA TB)
No. Name (Yr)
0 Mackenzie Cole (So) 0.000
0 Megan Flatley (So) 0.000
0 Mackenzie Kiesle (So) 0.000
1 Carly Durr (Jr) 3 1 9 1 16 0.500 1 14
3 Grace Muller (Jr) 3 2 0.000 3 2 18
4 Carly Cason (Fr) 3 2 2 1.000 1 1 4 5
6 Carly Harbison (Jr) 3 6 1 13 0.385 2 4 1 1 2
7 Emily Stebbins (Jr) 3 8 14 0.571 1 1 1 2 3
8 Lauren Pitz (Sr) 0.000
9 Caroline Boatright (Jr) 0.000
11 Amanda Merk (Sr) 0.000
12 Lauren Gold (So) 1 0.000
14 Ellie Skjodt (Jr) 3 1 0.000 8
15 Shelby Foyer (Sr) .000
16 Carly Sjokdt (So) 3 2 14 3 32 0.344 3 1 10 1 4 5
TOTALS     42 42 5 83 0.446 0 10 3 0 66 4 13 17