The Rossville Hornets defeated the Clinton Prairie Gophers 3-0 Thursday night to claim their first conference title since 1988.
“The conference title is something we’ve been close to time and time again,” Rossville head coach Lexie Ellenwood said. “But we haven’t been able to own it outright since 1988. That reminder hangs on a sign in our gym every single day, and it’s been the best motivator when we need that extra push.”
The Hornets’ experience has played a factor in their success this season. With seven seniors, Rossville knew what it would take to win the Hoosier Heartland.
“They’ve been playing in the same conference, against the same schools, players, and coaches for the same title for nearly a decade now,” Ellenwood said. “I think having seven veteran voices with the same goal and the same ‘it’s now or never’ mentality has been the difference maker all season.”
The biggest difference between last year’s team, which finished third in the conference, and this year’s has been steadiness in the face of adversity.
“They have shown multiple times throughout the season that when they face adversity, they can keep their cool and persevere,” Ellenwood said. “I think that mental fortitude has been one of our most celebrated improvements over past seasons.”
The Hornets, who came into the match ranked in the top five in the Indiana High School Volleyball Coaches Association Rankings, controlled set number one, taking it 25-12.
In the second set, the Gophers turned up the intensity, battling back and keeping it close. A late kill by Hornet freshman Blaire Wellman helped turn the tide, and the Hornets took set two 25-20.
Seniors Addi Gorbett and Ava Burkle dominated throughout, but came up big in set three as the Hornets won 25-15.
The win puts the Hornets at 20-2 on the year, and they finish the Hoosier Heartland Conference regular season unbeaten at 8-0. The Hornets didn’t drop a set in conference play this year.
“Sometimes you must remind yourself that you can do hard things,” Ellenwood said. “Working to overcome high-emotion county rivals both home and away and ensuring we’re always playing Rossville’s brand of volleyball and not letting other teams dictate our tempo does just that. 8-0 with no dropped sets is something we’re very proud of and we attribute to our team culture.”
Gorbett and Wellman were named The Farmers Bank Players of the Game. Gorbett finished with nine kills and three aces, while Wellman collected a game-high 11 kills.
Ava Burkle continued her dominant season in the middle, collecting 10 total blocks, pushing her season block total to 120, which ranks first in Class 1A and second in Indiana according to MaxPreps.
With the win, Rossville coach Lexie Ellendwood hit 50 career wins.
“This is the kind of team that most coaches wait years to get a chance to run with,” Ellenwood said. “I’m extremely grateful to be able to work with such talented athletes and, more importantly, truly wonderful humans so early on in my career. We’re excited for what’s still to come this year.”