Memorial, Marian Spikers Sidelined
The third time was not the charm for the Elkhart Memorial volleyball team Saturday night.
The No. 9 Crimson Chargers could not overcome No. 5 Carmel in the third meeting of the season between the Class 4-A powers.
The Greyhounds, who had split two earlier regular-season meetings with Memorial, prevailed 25-19, 25-20, 25-23 in the title tilt of the Class 4-A Huntington North Semistate.
Carmel, now 31-7, advances to play No. 1 Cathedral next Saturday in the state championship match at Ball State University.
Memorial, back in the semi state for the first time since 2009, finishes a great season at 29-9.
Carmel had defeated Memorial at the Mishawaka Invitational early in the season before the Chargers beat the Greyhounds at the Carmel Invitational late in the season.
Carly Skjodt, a 6-1 senior, led the way for the Greyhounds Saturday night with 20 kills.
Darrian Mowery led coach Jacquie Rost’s Memorial squad with eight kills in the final. Tailor Schultheis had seven and Bailey Brouwer six.
Standout libero Kaylin Szucs had 17 digs for Memorial. Claire Welter had 15 digs and Tori Mills had 15 assists and eight digs.
Memorial defeated Concord in the title match to win the Concord Sectional championship and then beat Penn 3-1 Tuesday night to win the regional title.
The Crimson Chargers topped Carroll 25-23, 21-25, 25-19, 25-20 in semifinal play earlier Saturday. Mowery had 18 kills in the win and Krystal Grubb had 18 assists and three aces.
Carmel had to put together an incredible semifinal rally to stun Valparaiso 20-25, 19-25, 25-20, 25-10, 15-9.
Top-ranked Mishawaka Marian saw its season end Saturday with a 3-0 loss to No. 2 Fort Wayne Concordia in a semifinal match of the Class 3-A Twin Lakes Semistate in Monticello.
Concordia eliminated coach Dan Anderson’s Knights 25-20, 25-21. 25-21.
Concordia then went on to defeat Bellmont 3-1 Saturday night in the semi state title match and will play Northview in the Class 3-A state final next Saturday at Ball State University.
Elizabeth Asdell, who has committed to play at Indiana University, led Marian with 12 kills and four blocks.
Maggie Gibson had 26 assists and Abby Whitfield 16 digs for the Knights.
Marian concludes its season 34-4, while Concordia advances with a mark of 31-6.