The Rossville Hornets volleyball team upset the top-ranked team in 1A, Covington, 3-2 on Saturday to claim their second straight Regional Championship.
“That win was pure heart and determination,” Rossville volleyball coach Lexi Ellenwood said. “We knew heading into the week we had the toughest task of anyone in our class. We spent an entire practice session breaking down their film as a team so everyone was on the same page, and that really helped set the tone for practices this week.”
Rossville came into the match at 24-8, while Covington was 31-3, having won the Wabash River conference and on an 18-match win streak.
The Hornets switched up their defense, trying to make things harder on the talented Trojan attack.
“We emphasized blocking and utilizing a different defensive system to better cover their outside attackers, which I think made the biggest difference,’ Ellenwood said. “We also adjusted our starting rotation to ensure our tallest block was matched up against their top hitter all night long.”
The Trojans looked the part early, but Rossville hung around. The first set was competitive and came down to the wire, but Covington pulled out a 25-23 win.
In set number two, Covington started to show why they were the top-ranked team in 1A and pulled away for a 25-17 win.
“We knew what we were doing was working through set one and even in set two, but the ball just wasn’t going our way often enough,” Ellenwood said. “We were being extremely aggressive on offense, which we always want to emphasize, but they had keyed in on our attacks, so we needed to adjust.”
Trailing two sets to zero, with their season on the line, the Hornets found some life.
Rossville took control of set three and won 25-18. One key to success was the service game, as the Hornets finished with 12 aces and just three service errors compared to eight aces and eight service errors for Covington.
“The girls came together and reminded each other it was truly win or go home, survive and advance,” Ellenwood said.
With their backs still against the wall, the Hornets fought a tightly contested fourth set. It took an extra point, but Rossville escaped with a 26-24 win.
Tied two-two, the fifth set exemplified how close the entire match was.
Trailing 11-6, in a fifth set played to 15, Rossville fought back again.
“We simulate that situation often, and they knew exactly what they needed to do in that moment,” Ellenwood said. “When you remain unshaken in the impossible moments, your opponents start to rattle, and that’s when you take control.”
The Hornets took the lead and held off Covington for a 21-19 fifth-set win, a reverse sweep, and a Regional Championship.
“Ultimately, none of this happens without the eternal belief that we deserved to win,” Ellenwood said. “We reminded ourselves all week long that this game would come down to who could outlast adversity longest.”
Blaire Wellman and Mallory Edmonds were instrumental offensively, finishing with 27 and 26 kills.
Defensively, Cassie Schoon picked up 36 digs while Wellman added 20 and Edmonds finished with a team-high three blocks.
Tori Fadness assisted on 60 of Rossville’s 66 kills in the match.
The Hornets advance to the Semi-State round of the State Tournament.
Semi-State features four teams, with the winners of the early matches playing for a Semi-State Title and a chance to play for a State Championship.
Rossville will face Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian at 10:00 a.m. at Delphi High School on Saturday.
The Braves are 23-12 this season and defeated Elkhart Christian Academy 3-1 to advance.
If the Hornets win. they will play the winner of Northfield (19-12) and South Newton (25-9) at 7:00 p.m.
Both games will be broadcast on WILO, with pregame coverage beginning 15 minutes before the first serve.
