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Fourth-ranked Avon knocked off four top 10 opponents this tournament including an exclamation point in the 4A state championship match with a five-set victory over No. 2 Carmel.

The Orioles (35-5) stumbled in the opening and fourth sets but answered the Greyhounds at crucial times in a 21-25, 25-20, 25-17, 21-25, 15-10 victory at Worthen Arena. It was the school’s first volleyball state championship and second overall (boys golf in 2008-09).

Avon, coached by Scott McQueen, had suffered its only loss last year in the state title match but made amends this time around and avenged a 3-0 loss to Carmel back on Aug. 21.

Beth Prince set a 4A state finals record with 24 kills in the match, three better than the previous mark shared by two others in the 2007 final. Calle Weddle added 15 and Shelby Connors 11 for the Avon cause. Carmel was led by Carly Skjodt’s 18 kills.

Carmel (37-2) had won 16 straight matches coming in and had won 49 straight sets before dropping the second frame to Avon this evening. The Greyhounds, competing in their first championship contest, were coached by Rich Coleman.

Avon’s Kayla Springer named Mental Attitude Award winner
At the conclusion of the state finals, the IHSAA Executive Committee announced Kayla Springer of Avon High School as the winner of the Class 4A Mental Attitude Award.

This year, Springer was Honorable Mention All-Hoosier Crossroads Conference. She also participates in basketball and is a member of the National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and Avon’s Student Government.  She is ranked 21st in her class with a weighted GPA of 4.5.

She is the daughter of Mike and Arabella Springer of Avon, Ind. and plans to attend Taylor University where she’ll study Pre-Med and also play volleyball.

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.

Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, the IHSAA’s corporate partner, presented a $1,000 scholarship to Avon High School in the name of Kayla Springer.