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Indianapolis Cathedral (36-2) used height to its advantage and returned to the top spot in Class 4A volleyball with a 21-25, 25-18, 25-17, 25-20 victory over Muncie Central at Worthen Arena in Muncie.

Senior Christiana Gray at 6-5 and classmate Mary Ording at 6-3 provided an intimidating presence at the net both offensively and defensively for Cathedral and helped the Irish to its second 4A title in three seasons and sixth championship overall.

It also was the rubber match between the two powerhouses as the Bearcats took a 2-0 decision on Aug. 30, while the Irish returned the favor with a 3-0 victory on Oct. 2. It was the fourth time to two teams met with the state championship on the line with the Irish taking it all in 2003 and 2006 and the Bearcats winning in 2004.

Gray was good for 22 kills and a .421 hitting percentage along with three block solos and three more block assists. Ording added 14 kills and a .379 clip to go along with three solo blocks and four assists. Another senior, Kaleigh Rougraff, added eight kills and led the team with 15 digs. Christina Barra chipped in 11 digs.

For Muncie Central, it was their fourth state runner-up finish in their 11th appearance in the state finals. The Bearcats were led offensively by senior Katelyn Bergdoll with 12 kills while Kristina Kerrigan, also a senior, added 11. Senior Tessa McGill led with 10 digs, while three others, Emmy Jackson, Michelle Schmaltz and Ashlin Stassen, recorded nine each.

Muncie Central, coached by Wes Lyon, had rallied for a 14-25, 25-22, 25-16, 25-21 semifinal victory over Floyd Central in the morning round. Cathedral, guided by coach Jean Kesterson, also came back from a game down to beat 2007 runner-up Elkhart Memorial, 24-26, 25-20, 25-20, 25-18, to earn its spot in the championship match.

CATHEDRAL’S CHRISTIANA GRAY NAMED MENTAL ATTITUDE AWARD WINNER
Christiana Gray of Indianapolis Cathedral High School was named the winner of the Mental Attitude Award in Class 4A following the state championship match by members of the IHSAA Executive Committee.

The award is presented annually to a senior participant in the state finals who was nominated by her principal and coach and has demonstrated excellence in mental attitude, scholarship, leadership and athletic ability.

Christiana is a four-year letterwinner for the Fighting Irish.  In 2007, she earned a Prep Volleyball All-American high honorable mention, received First Team All-State, All-North, and All-Metro Super Star accolades, and was named as the MVP of the All-City Team.

Christiana is ranked 29th out of a class of 336 and carries a 4.27 GPA on a 4.0 scale.  She is a National Honor Society member and has maintained three years of high honor roll.  She was chosen to the IHSAA Role Model and Student Ambassadors programs and speaks to local grade schools about staying drug and tobacco free. Christiana’s volunteer work includes tutoring, working at volleyball camps, and participating in canned food drives.

She plans to attend Duke University and study medicine.

She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Gray of Carmel.

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