News

It took a little over an hour for Marquette Catholic to lay claim to its fifth straight Class A state championship on Saturday at Ball State’s Worthen Arena.

The Blazers took three straight games from Barr-Reeve, 25-19, 29-27, 25-16 to win another title, its eighth overall. It was also the 34th consecutive tournament victory for Marquette.

Down a game, the Vikings led 21-17 in the pivotal second game before a kill by junior Brianna Gannon and two aces by junior Sarah Lutz spurred the Blazers on to a 22-21 lead.  The second game saw 12 ties and five lead changes before Marquette Catholic junior setter Amber Cerillos’ ace propelled the Blazers to a 2-0 lead with a 29-27 win.

In the decisive third game, the Blazers jumped out to a 4-0 lead and led by as many as eight (19-11) before junior outside hitter Ashley Edmond’s kill delivered the championship.

Edmond led the attack for the Blazers, finishing with 14 kills and four aces, while Gannon and sophomore Katie Clancy each added six. Cerillos tallied eight aces and Edmond had four of her own. Senior Jenna Fumo finished with 17 digs.

Barr-Reeve was led by junior Hilliary Fox’s 12 kills and 10 digs.  Senior Shanelle Burch finished with 14 digs and junior Terrell Miller 10.

Head Coach Troy Campbell and Marquette Catholic finished the season at 36-4 after beating Indianapolis Lutheran, 25-18, 25-18, 25-12 in its semifinal match earlier in the day.  Coach Amber DeCoursey’s Barr-Reeve squad ended the season at 36-3. The Vikings ousted Lafayette Central Catholic 25-18, 25-22, 25-22, for their spot in the championship match.

LUTHERAN’S ANNA LEWER NAMED MENTAL ATTITUDE AWARD WINNER
Anna Lewer of Indianapolis Lutheran High School was named the winner of the Mental Attitude Award in Class A 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.

Lewer is a leader on and off the court and has been a consistent volunteer for activities at school and in her community. She has worked for Habitat for Humanity, Wheeler Mission, TV 6 Toy Drive, a blood donor and worker, Trike Ride for the Blind and an active member of her church’s youth group.

She serves as her team’s captain, is a 2008 Academic All-State selection, holds four school records in track and was named team MVP in basketball. She also serves as Student Body President.

Academically, she is at the top of her class with a 4.3 GPA. She is undecided on her college plans but intends to study biomedical engineering.

She is the daughter of Steve and Beth Lewer of Indianapolis.

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