By Mike McGraw
Executive Director
AVON – WOW! It didn’t take long for the 2008 volleyball season to get into full swing.
Class 4A No. 5 host Avon’s match against highly regarded Center Grove Aug. 19 began as a typical sloppy season-opener. It ended with a final game played at a level befitting far more than a season debut.
In the end, Avon prevailed 25-18, 22-25, 25-17, 30-28. Both coaches left feeling pretty good about where their teams are early on.
Make sure you check out the video player at the end of this story to watch interviews from both coaches as well as Avon outside hitter Katie Griffin!
This was a classic case of the irresistible force meeting the immovable object – and the object finally moved just a little. Avon played a relentless attacking style throughout the evening, and it was matched by a stellar backcourt defensive effort by the Trojans.
On this night, the difference was that Avon had the biggest dog in the fight. Purdue-bound 6’2” Griffin began her senior campaign for the Orioles with a total of 20 kills. She got them despite dig after dig after dig from the Center Grove back line.
The match certainly did not start as though it would be so competitive. Avon cruised to early control in Game 1, and much of the Orioles’ success was borne of unforced Trojan errors.
Center Grove never managed to seriously threaten, and the final score of 25-18 was only that close because Avon had several periods of sloppy play as well.
That made Game 2 the first character test of the year for coach Deb McClurg’s Trojans, and they passed with flying colors. Center Grove tightened up its passing, improved its communication, and generally frustrated the Orioles throughout the game.
Avon continued to be a little inconsistent, and the result was Center Grove evening the match with the 25-22 victory.
A few adjustments on the part of Avon coach Scott McQueen – and a little more attention to detail – allowed Avon to retake control in Game 3, however. The Orioles cranked up their attack at the net, pulling away fairly easily in the second half of the 25-17 win.
All of that action merely set the stage for the deciding fourth game. Once again, Center Grove responded with renewed vigor by streaking to a 10-4 lead and forcing an Avon timeout.
From that point, Avon really began riding the strong right arm of Griffin. Nearly every play went through the talented senior. The Orioles drew even at 15 and eventually took a 22-19 lead.
Five fantastic points later, Avon had match point at 24-22. However, the feisty Trojans fought back one more time, forging a 24-24 tie. After Avon took a 25-24 lead, the Trojans staved off another match point and actually took leads of 26-25 and 28-27.
But the Trojans could not close the deal on either occasion, and it was at that point that the powerful Oriole front line finally sealed the deal. A devastating **** by Griffin was followed by one from Caselyn Harding to give Avon the lead at 29-28.
The verdict was decided on a Trojan net violation during the next point.
McQueen was pleased with the level of play his team achieved during the final game, but he was quick to point out that several areas need improvement. On the other side, McClurg cited a need for the Trojans to improve their blocking at the net but thought their effort on the road against such a tough team was admirable.
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