Rich Torres | Daily Reporter
GREENWOOD — The Mt. Vernon volleyball team opened the 2020 season on a strong note with a comeback victory over host Greenwood on Saturday.
The Marauders fell behind the Woodmen after the first set 25-23 to start before rallying back to win the next three 25-12, 25-20, 25-14.
With four new starters in their lineup, the Marauders shook off their initial nerves and settled down to control the pace and minimize Greenwood’s scoring opportunities.
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Mt. Vernon senior Olivia Yeley recorded 10 kills and had five blocks. Cecilia Bulmahn added a team-high 15 kills. Tatum Fitzgerald finished with 12 kills.
Rylee Ugen powered the Marauders’ offense with 35 assists and four blocks in her debut at setter. Sophomore Abby Herman logged 21 digs in her first start at libero.
The Marauders turned the tide on the Woodmen from the service line led by Bulmahn’s seven aces. Herman had six.
The Class 4A 19th-ranked Marauders hosted rival 15th-ranked Cathedral on Monday. Mt. Vernon is scheduled to travel to Noblesville on Wednesday.
Dragons drop
opener to Scecina
The New Palestine volleyball team opened its season on Saturday with a tough-luck, five-set loss at Scecina Memorial.
New Palestine won the second set 25-23 and the fourth 25-20 to force a fifth game.
Scecina pulled ahead early with a 25-19 first-set victory. They reclaimed the advantage after the third set, 25-19, and won the finale 15-10.
Isabella Gizzi led the New Palestine Dragons with a double-double performance, posting 46 assists and 22 digs. Grace Myers had 38 digs. Jada Hausz paced the Dragons’ attack with 14 kills. Kaelyn Armstrong added eight kills and 14 digs.
“Tough loss today,” Dragons head coach Kelli Gabehart said. “There is definitely a lot of potential with the group and we will get it worked out.”
The Dragons hosted Connersville on Monday and are scheduled to welcome Guerin Catholic on Thursday night.
Cougars win
season opener
The Greenfield-Central volleyball team opened the year with a 3-0 sweep of host Hamilton Heights on Saturday.
The Cougars won 25-14, 25-23, 25-19. Senior outside hitter Ava Antic finished with a double-double behind 11 kills and 11 digs.
Senior Molly Schwarzkopf had eight kills. Senior libero Rachel Campbell recorded 22 digs.
“I am really proud of the team to get their first win of the season,” Cougars head coach Ron Heck said. “Everyone has put in a lot of work this summer and it really paid off on the court.”
The Cougars traveled to Scecina Memorial on Monday.
Girls Golf
Marauders top Royals
The Mt. Vernon girls golf team scored a win over Eastern Hancock at Royals Hylands Golf Club on Thursday.
The Marauders defeated the host Royals 195-234. Mt. Vernon’s Alaina Nugent earned medalist honors with a nine-hole tally of 42.
Dragons card season-best total
The New Palestine girls golf team posted a season-best score of 217 on Thursday during a three-way match against Noblesville (197) and Westfield (198) at Fox Prairie.
Megan Diller and Abby Belgin each finished with team-leading scores of 52. Hanna Beller shot a 55. Ava Hasecuster carded a 58. Lauren Appleby added a 60.
On Saturday, the team finished 17th overall during its first 18-hole match of the season at the Lapel Invitational.
New Palestine shot a 436 through the 19-team event. Hamilton Southeastern won the invite at 313.
Diller led the Dragons with a 104. Belgin and Beller each shot a 110. Kate Stanfield had a 112. Hasecuster fired a 116.
The Dragons traveled to The Links and faced Whiteland on Monday.
Cougars collect two wins to start
The Greenfield-Central girls golf team won a pair of three-way matches to open the season.
The Cougars won their first event of the season, topping Columbus East (189) and Whiteland (218) with a 184 on Aug. 6.
Caroline Gibson and Haley Hoagland were both medalist winners with a nine-hole score of 40. Sydnie Wherry turned in a 47, followed by Katie Curry’s 57.
On Aug. 10, the Cougars defeated Rushville 184-216 led by Gibson’s 1-under par 35. O’Neal shot a 48. Curry finished with a 49. Hoagland carded a 52.
The Cougars finished runner-up at the 12-team Greensburg Invitational on Aug. 8 with a 363. Gibson shot an 18-hole round of 80. O’Neal had an 88. Hoagland chipped in a 94, and Wherry posted a 101.
At the Lapel Invitational on Saturday, the short-handed Cougars were led by Gibson, once again, with a 72. She was second among all individuals.
Hoagland and Wherry finished with a 93 and 97, respectively. Abby Mulligan shot a personal-best 101.
Boys Soccer
Marauders fall to HSE Royals
The Mt. Vernon boys soccer team lost 4-0 to Hamilton Southeastern on Saturday.
The Marauders received a strong performance from goalkeeper Noah Whitehouse with 20 saves.
Mt. Vernon travels to Richmond today.
Cougars fall to Wildcats
The Greenfield-Central boys soccer team lost its season opener 3-2 against host Lawrence North on Saturday.
The Wildcats grabbed a 1-0 lead off an uncontested header in the 11th minute, which G-C’s Bryce Kinnaman neutralized later in the 45th minute with a goal off a corner-kick pass.
Lawrence North scored two second-half goals to pull ahead 3-1 before Logan Masters’ penalty kick goal make it 3-2.
Girls Cross-County
Dragons take third, Marauders 12th at LaVern
The New Palestine girls cross-country team finished third during Saturday’s Valley Kickoff at the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross-Country Course in Terre Haute.
The Mt. Vernon girls cross-country team placed 12th in the 35-team field with 300 points.
New Palestine posted a team score of 124 behind Franklin (70) and Westfield (92).
Dragons’ junior Emma Mann placed fifth with a time of 19 minutes, 54.7 seconds.
Senior Brenna Shaw was 12th (20:41.8). Junior Emily Adams ran a 21:48.9 for 36th overall. Courtney Study was 38th at 21:54.2. Freshman Jocelynn Flagle finished in 22:19.8.
