Volleyball Pulls Off Upset To Win District Championship

Tied 13 a-piece in the fifth set, Sullivan (15-14-1) had their championship on the line against St. Clair (20-13-2). Either team was just a few points away from a Class 3 District 9 title.

The Lady Eagles were not ready to let the light go out on their season. A year earlier, they fell in second place to the same Bulldogs. This time around, Sullivan would get the final bite.

The Lady Eagles set the tone for the night by stealing the first two victories (25-23, 25-21). St. Clair rallied to win the third and fourth sets (25-16, 25-18), leaving Sullivan on the ropes. 

The Lady Eagles started on top in the fifth match with a 6-2 lead. St. Clair mounted another comeback to force a 13-13 tie.

Sullivan head coach Sarah Rochleau called a timeout to ice the Lady Bulldogs and give her players a chance to bounce back. With their season in jeopardy, Rochleau reminded the Lady Eagles that “staying calm and focusing on the next ball” would take them to victory. 

Karlee Head came in clutch with a kill to regain the lead, and Sydney Montee spiked the game-winner that completed the upset. Sullivan took the fifth set 15-13 to win their first district title since 2022.

After the game, Rochleau stated, “We knew what rotation St. Clair was in and what play we wanted to run based on our scouting report. The girls stayed calm and executed the play perfectly.”

Four days before the championship, the Lady Eagles swept Owensville to defend their No. 2 seed. Sullivan then kept their season alive by stunning top-ranked St. Clair for the title. They continued their fight in the sectional the following Thursday. Despite falling to Logan-Rogersville in three sets, the Lady Eagles held the Wildcats on their toes until the end.

Stats

Head spiked a career-high nine kills out of her thirty attacks. She also led the Lady Eagles with 26 assists, then collected eleven scores and two blocks.

Ava Blankenship racked up a team-high 33 attacks, 20 points, 15 kills and five blocks.

Stevi Saling dominated with 25 attacks, 13 scores, 12 kills and a block.

Abby Record played lights out with 23 attacks, 10 points, seven kills, two blocks and an ace.

Allie Brune tallied 21 attacks, five scores, three kills, an ace, a block and an assist.

Ava Todd served up a team-high two aces while logging 17 assists and an attack.

Montee broke away with 14 attacks, four scores, two kills and two blocks.

Andi Giebler grabbed two assists.