Grems win first Kaysinger title

COLE CAMP — Cole Camp’s gymnasium has never been kind to the Sacred Heart volleyball team.

The Gremlins shook the demons on Saturday, claiming their first Kaysinger Conference tournament title with a two-game win against Northwest.

“It’s been pretty much locked-up by Cole Camp,” Sacred Heart coach David Fall said. “I think Cole Camp’s won it every year but whenever Green Ridge won it. ... We’ve been the first seed at least four times in 11 years, and this is the first time that we’ve finished it.”

Sacred Heart won 25-14, 25-20, using a strong rally to finish the second game.

The Lady Mustangs (17-3-2) held a 20-19 lead in the second game when they were called for a carry, giving Sacred Heart the serve and tying the game at 20.

With Courtney Curtiss serving, Sacred Heart (15-1-2) put together a championship-worthy run. Kelsey Baldwin made a one-armed diving dig to keep the point alive, and Laura McMullin quickly capitalized with a tip kill, giving the Gremlins a 21-20 lead.

“If you can make a play like that, it does frustrate the other team if they think they’ve got a ball down and then you bring it back and get the kill,” Fall said. “It’s a big momentum swing.”

The lead grew to two when Kelcey Dankenbring’s spike came up short, then McMullin rose way up for a kill block to make it 23-20. She finished with nine kills, three kill blocks and five digs for Sacred Heart.

“Anytime you can do something late in a game, it’s big,” Fall said. “She’s a big force in the middle. She’s blocking as well as anybody we’ve had.”

Paige Shipley added a kill and Curtiss drilled an ace just inside the back line to give the Gremlins the title. Curtiss served for 12 points in the match while adding eight digs and five kills.

In the opening game, the Lady Mustangs only led after the first point. The game was later tied at 7 and Northwest trailed 11-8 when Sacred Heart put together its big rally.

Meghan Stratton served for five consecutive points, keeping the Lady Mustangs off balance with her serving as the Gremlins opened a 16-9 cushion.

“They’re a darn good volleyball team and if you’re not executing at 100 percent, they’re going to make you pay for it,” Northwest coach Mark Dankenbring said. “I think you have to play at the top of your game (against the Gremlins).”

Stratton finished with 11 assists, seven kills and four digs for the Gremlins while Baldwin had 11 digs. Shipley added 11 assists, seven kills and two digs. Debbie Lewis recorded 12 digs.

Northwest struggled to get its offense in rhythm, something coach Dankenbring said was crucial for the team’s success against Sacred Heart.

“You’ve got to be clicking at all times because if you send free balls over or don’t make them play aggressive defense, they’re going to be setting those big girls up on the net, and it’s hard to get hands on them all the time,” he said.

Kelcey Dankenbring paced the Lady Mustangs with eight digs and three kills while Meredith Norfleet led the offensive attack with nine kills.

“Meredith’s got a really explosive jump, a good swing,” coach Dankenbring said. “She can do a few more things as far as where to put the ball, and that’s big.”

Whitney Brown had 12 assists, and Mariah Wiskur added six digs.

Sacred Heart and Northwest each advanced to the championship by winning their respective pools. Northwest beat Cole Camp in straight sets to ensure the trip to the title match and sending the Bluebirds into the third-place game, where they met Smithton.

Third-Place Game

Cole Camp def. Smithton 25-21, 25-13

Erin Rice had seven stuff blocks Cole Camp earned a third-place finish in the tournament.

Chelsea Chamberlin had nine points, seven kills and four digs while Ashley Meyer added eight points and nine assists. Shanea Viets had eight assists and four digs for the Bluebirds (10-5).

Consolation Game

La Monte def. Green Ridge 25-22, 25-22

Chante Holcombe paced the Lady Vikings (8-7-2) with 15 kills — four tips — and two blocks as La Monte won the consolation final of the tournament.

Caitlin Holt added eight kills while Lacie Holcombe finished with five kills and two blocks.