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Lafayette Central Catholic (31-7) battled its way to the school’s first ever Class A state championship Saturday afternoon at Ball State’s Worthen Arena with a 25-9, 17-25, 25-18, 25-18 victory over Indianapolis Lutheran (27-12).

Central Catholic cruised through the first set (25-9), but Lutheran picked up the second set win after enduring nine ties and four lead changes.  With a 14-13 lead and senior Jordan Finke serving, the Saints rattled off five straight points to take control of the second set before closing it out at 25-17.

Lutheran jumped out to an 11-6 lead in the third when Central Catholic head coach Brad McCarter called a timeout.  After the break, Central Catholic rallied to score eight straight points and would not relinquish the lead.  Senior Olivia Walker closed out the set with an ace, giving the Knights a 25-18 win and 2-1 lead.

Lutheran was able to keep it close in the early stages of the fourth set before Central Catholic stretched their lead to 19-10.  Down 14-24, the Saints narrowed the gap before a kill by junior Morgan Hainje sealed it for Central Catholic.  The Knights were led by senior Olivia Walker’s game high 14 kills; senior Molly King chipped in with 11 kills and nine digs, while senior Claire Riehle added 10 kills and 12 digs of her own.

Lutheran, coached by Kathy Anderson, was led by senior Jordan Finke’s seven kills and nine digs.  Junior Hope Steel had a team high 11 digs, while senior Julie Myers tallied six kills and 10 digs. The Saints were making their third consecutive visit to the state finals and were playing in the championship match for the first time.

LAFAYETTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC’S CLAIRE RIEHLE NAMED MENTAL ATTITUDE AWARD WINNER
Claire Riehle of Lafayette Central High School was named winner of the 2010 Mental Attitude Award for Girls 1A Volleyball by members of the IHSAA Executive Committee.

The award is presented annually to a senior in each classification who demonstrates excellence in mental attitude, scholarship, leadership and athletic ability.

Riehle is ranked sixth in her class and has made the Knightly Honor Roll each of her four years.  She is a member of the National Honor Society, Young Life, and the Interact Rotary Club. Captain of this year’s volleyball squad, Riehle is also a four-year member of Central Catholic’s tennis team.

Principal Joseph Brettnacher says, “Claire is a leader among her peers…Her peers see her as someone who leads by example, as do the faculty and staff.”

Riehle is undecided on her college choice at this time but is interested in studying Biological Food Science and Spanish.

She is the daughter of Jim and Mary Riehle of Lafayette.

Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, the IHSAA’s corporate partner, presented a scholarship check for $1,000.00 to Lafayette Central Catholic High School in the name of Riehle.  Since 1989, more than $707,000 in college scholarships have been presented by Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance to deserving high school students in Indiana.