News

A year after falling short in the final match, second-ranked Muncie Central (35-4) swept its way to the 4A state championship with a 25-19, 25-23, 25-16 victory over top-ranked Elkhart Memorial at Worthen Arena on Saturday.

In 2008, Muncie Central settled for a runner-up finish but left no doubt this time around overwhelming Elkhart Memorial (36-3) from the outset. The Bearcats swept Center Grove earlier in the day as well.

It was the sixth state championship for Muncie Central in the sport and its second under coach Wes Lyon who last guided the team to the top in 2004.

The Bearcats were led by Jamie Drummer’s 14 kills and 13 digs in the match. Abbie Allardt and Alyssa Sorrell added 10 each. The Chargers’ Brittany Anglemyer led all players with 17 kills while Krystle Troyer put down 10.

Elkhart Memorial, coached by Jacquie Rost, was making its fourth visit to the state finals and second to the final match. The Chargers had to go the distance before turning away Floyd Central in the morning semis, 19-25, 25-22, 25-21, 22-25, 16-14.

CENTER GROVE’S SARAH DOOMS SELECTED FOR MENTAL ATTITUDE AWARD
Following the match, Sarah Dooms of Center Grove High School was named winner of the 2009 Mental Attitude Award in Class 4A volleyball by members of the IHSAA Executive Committee.

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

Dooms, whose team was eliminated by Muncie Central in this morning’s semifinals, helped Center Grove to its first appearance in the volleyball state finals since 2000.

With a 4.0 GPA, Dooms ranks 11th in her senior class of more than 550 students and has been named Academic All-State. She also has been an Academic All-Conference selection all four years. Dooms is currently a National Honor Society member, serves as an RSVP facilitator, a senior seminar leader and freshmen ambassador. She plans to attend Valparaiso University and study Education.
She is the daughter of Peter and Lois Dooms of Greenwood.

Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, the IHSAA’s corporate partner, presented a scholarship check for $1,000.00 to Center Grove High School in the name of Dooms.  Since 1989, more than $575,000 in college scholarships have been presented by Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance to deserving high school students in Indiana.