Early Returns: Top Performances From Early Sectional Results

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're into the meat of each sectional throughout the state, with the semifinals and finals happening tomorrow at sites of all shapes and sizes. By the end of play Saturday, we'll have gone from 399 teams to 64. Here are five individual performances that stood out among all of the matches that have happened thus far.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">1A: #7 Covington lost to #12 Riverton Parke in five</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Matches like this one are why we play. An epic match between to top-fifteen teams is the last thing we want for an opening round match, but great volleyball nevertheless. In a losing effort, senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='152941' first='Alex' last='Sutherlin']</strong> gave everything with a 20-20 performance. She finished with 24 kills, 29 digs, 2 aces and 20 service receptions without an error. Her career finishes with 900+ kills, 1100+ digs and a four-year career that will be unmatched in Trojans lore.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">1A: Bloomfield lost to White River Valley in four</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You can't bring up epic stat lines without mentioning the kids that earned a double-double. Junior <strong>Lila Koontz</strong> had her own in the four-set loss to WRV by hammering home 21 kills and earning 14 digs. With another year under her belt, she should easily pass 500 career kills next fall, while already surpassing the 500 career dig plateau.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2A: Boone Grove defeated Andrean in four</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With size and multisport abilities to burn, the Wolves pulled out the win in four sets over the Fighting 59ers. What caught my eye was the play of one particular freshman, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='546287' first='Brooklyn' last='Gluth'].</strong> This 6-1 right side finished with 10 kills and 2 blocks in her postseason debut, and the future looks bright for BG with kids like her in the mix. The Wolves advance to play Wheeler tomorrow morning at 11.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2A: Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian defeated Fort Wayne Bishop Luers in five</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the rare five-setters in the early going of the playoffs, one particular player stood out the most. Yes, double-doubles are impressive, but I doubt there was a triple-double anywhere statewide this week thus far. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='303463' first='Ava' last='LaCross'],</strong> a senior right side for FWBC, messed around and got a triple double to advance to the sectional semifinals against Woodlan. Ava finished with 19 kills, 11 blocks (!!!) and 15 digs, while posting 2 aces just for good measure.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">4A: Franklin Community defeated Columbus North in three</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not necessarily an <em>easy </em>three-setter against the Bulldogs, Franklin Community advanced to Saturday on the shoulder of junior outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='217453' first='Rose' last='Mahin'].</strong> She continues to impress, hammering home 24 kills while contributing 17 digs against CN. The Grizzly Cubs get Whiteland in the second semifinal on Saturday afternoon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->