Central volleyball falls to Bellmont in 5-set thriller
MUNCIE More than two hours decided nothing between the Central and Bellmont volleyball teams on Tuesday.
They were playing in the decisive fifth set in a Class 3A regional match, and the score was tied at 13. All each team needed was two consecutive points and it would claim a regional title and a berth in the Class 3A Twin Lakes Semistate.
Bellmont delivered. The Squaws rattled off the next two points to celebrate a 24-26, 25-17, 18-25, 25-21, 15-13 victory on the Muncie Fieldhouse court.
In total, the Squaws' run to end the match ran for three consecutive points, beginning when Central held a 13-12 lead in the fifth set. Central coach Wes Lyon took a timeout when his team trailed 14-13 and Class 3A No. 7 Bellmont had one chance to end Class 3A No. 5 Central's season.
"We had a one-point lead a couple times there, and then they tied it at 13," Lyon said. "I told the girls, 'We're in the same boat now. They've got the one-point lead, let's see if we can capitalize.' And we had a heck of a dig on a point-blank shot and then couldn't convert the next play. But I'm proud of my team and hats off to Bellmont."
Central finished the season 26-9 and won its first sectional championship since 2010. It defeated two top-10 teams, Delta and Wapahani, during sectional play. But the Bearcats were unable to turn in a third top-10 win on Tuesday to continue in the tournament.
"We were struggling for half a year, trying to figure ourselves out," Lyon said. "And I thought the last half of the season, we became a team. We were better teammates. We understood what our roles were and we went on a good run. Winning the sectional in Delaware County is a great accomplishment."
Central has struggled to close out matches in the postseason, letting both the Delta and Wapahani matches get tight after winning the first two sets and having a chance to sweep.
Tuesday's match was closer from the start, with Central rallying to win the first set 26-24 and Bellmont winning the second set 25-17 to take the possibility of a sweep off the table.
Central did win the third set 25-18, earning a chance to win the match in four, but Bellmont was able to prevent that possibility, then claim the fifth set and the title.
"With that kind of a team, like Bellmont, you're just going to have to play, play, play and let the chips fall where they're going to," Lyon said. "I thought that we were a little up-and-down, but I think Bellmont created a lot of that."
Micah Leavell led the charge for Central offensively with 19 kills, and E'Laisah Young followed with 15 kills. Nikki Marshall had 19 kills for the Bearcats and Alexis Wright had three blocks.
Contact prep sports reporter Sam Wilson at (765) 213-5807. Follow him on Twitter @SamWilsonTSP.