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Top-Ranked Wapahani Repeats as Class 2A State Champion
After dropping the opening set, defending state champion Wapahani awoke and rolled in three straight to successfully repeat as Class 2A volleyball state champion.
No. 2 Providence looked strong in the opening set but couldn’t muster enough the rest of the way as top-ranked Wapahani (33-4) captured a 22-25, 25-15, 25-6, 25-22 victory at Worthen Arena. It was the only set the Raiders let get away during their six state tournament matches.
Aubreigh Applegate led all players with 21 kills for the Raiders while Courtney Mitchell added 14 and Lindi Thomas 13. Providence was led by Taylor Wilson with 10 kills.
It was the Wapahani’s third volleyball state finals appearance and each has resulted in a state title including a Class A crown in 2002. Mike Lingenfelter has been the coach for each of them.
Providence (35-5) was making its sixth appearance in the state finals but first in a state championship match. The Pioneers were coached by Terri Purichia.
Paige Williamson named Mental Attitude Award winner
At the conclusion of the state finals, the IHSAA Executive Committee announced Paige Williamson of Wapahani High School as the winner of the Mental Attitude Award.
With a 3.4 GPA, Williamson is a member of the National Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America and the Freshmen Mentor program at her school. In volleyball, she was voted to the Mid-Eastern All-Conference team as well as Second Team Class 2A All-State. In addition to volleyball, she is also a member of the basketball and softball teams at Wapahani.
She is the daughter of Kris Williamson and Brian Johnson of Selma, Ind. and plans to attend IU, Butler, or Ball State University where she’ll study Pre-Med.
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 Wapahani High School in the name of Paige Williamson.