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No. 2 Avon dropped the opening set but powered through top-ranked Carmel in the next three for a 17-25, 25-19, 25-14, 25-18 victory in the Class 4A state championship match at Ball State University's Worthen Arena.

Avon (37-3) got the better of Carmel for the second year in a row in the final match earning back-to-back championships in their third consecutive appearance in the finals. A year ago, Avon claimed a five-set thriller between the two powers but Carmel had swept Avon on the road on Aug. 27 and was aiming for its first volleyball title in school history this evening.

Three Orioles finished with double-figure kills with Beth Prince leading the way with 16. Calle' Weddle added 13 and Rebekah Strange 11. On the defensive, Shelby Connors was responsible for two blocks solo and five assists and Rachel Griffin, the mental attitude award winner, led all with 17 digs and 34 assists as the setter. Carmel's Carly Skjodt led all players with 20 kills.

The Greyhounds (37-2) had entered the match with only one loss back on Aug. 24 in the second week of the season and hadn't dropped a set to an opponent since Oct. 1, a span of 16 matches.

Head coach Scott McQueen's Orioles closed out the year with 26 straight victories. Rich Coleman was the Carmel coach.

Avon’s Rachel Griffin Named Mental Attitude Award Winner
At the conclusion of the state finals, the IHSAA Executive Committee named Rachel Griffin of Avon High School as the winner of the Class 4A Mental Attitude Award.

The starting setter and captain, Griffin is third in career assists at Avon and carried her team to three consecutive state final championships.  In addition to her prowess on the volleyball court, Griffin also leads the Orioles basketball team, earning MVP honors in 2012.

Rachel is a member of the Student Athletic Council and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. After graduation, she will continue her volleyball career at Indiana State University and is planning to pursue a degree in exercise science.

She is the daughter of Julie and Clark Griffin of Avon.

Each year the IHSAA Executive Committee selects a senior player who was nominated by her principal and coach and was determined to have best demonstrated mental attitude, scholarship, leadership and athletic ability. The Committee presented $1,000 to Avon High School's general scholarship fund in the name of Rachel Griffin.