Greenfield-Central’s Makenna Rankins sets a ball against Eastern Hancock. Rankins became the program’s all-time leader in assists Saturday, breaking the mark of 2,348 set by Molly Broome (2015-18).
Mike Brown | For The Daily Reporter
Greenfield-Central senior setter Makenna Rankins became the program’s all-time assists leader and the Cougars played four matches, winning three, to win Saturday’s Cougar Challenge Volleyball Tournament.
The Cougars went 2-1 in pool play, defeating Pike (2-0) and Whiteland (2-0) and losing to South Decatur (2-1).
Greenfield-Central beat Batesville, which had gone 3-0 in its pool play, 2-1 in the championship match.
Middle hitter Harper Holden and Rankins were named to the all-tournament team.
In the win over Whiteland, the team’s third match of the day, Rankins became the school’s all-time assist leader, beating the old mark of 2,348 set by Molly Broome from 2015-18. Last season, Rankins became the program’s single-season record holder with 883.
Against Pike, the Cougars won by set scores of 25-18, 25-14.
The second match of the day, the loss to South Decatur, had set scores of 25-23, 11-25, 17-15.
G-C beat Whiteland 25-15, 26-24 in the third pool-play match.
In the championship match, the Cougars rallied after a 25-8 first-set loss. They won 25-18, 15-11 in the final two sets.
Greenfield-Central (14-7) travels to Muncie Central (4-8) Monday.
Royals split at home invitational
At its home event, the Eastern Hancock Invitational, the Eastern Hancock girls volleyball team went 1-1 Saturday.
The Royals defeated Heritage Christian 2-1 and lost to Daleville 2-1.
In the win over Heritage Christian, the Royals won by set scores of 25-22, 34-36, 15-13.
Against Daleville, Eastern lost 25-19, 17-25, 15-8.
Eastern Hancock (19-5, 7-1) will get a rematch with Daleville (19-3, 6-1) in a Mid-Eastern Conference match Tuesday at Daleville.
Girls soccer
Marauders win, prep for title game
Mt. Vernon scored four first-half goals and set itself up to play for the Hoosier Heritage Conference girls soccer championship Monday against Pendleton Heights.
On Saturday, Mt. Vernon, ranked No. 19 in the Indiana Soccer Coaches Association Class 3A poll, defeated HHC foe Delta 5-1.
The Marauders improved to 8-2-3 overall and 6-0 in the conference. Delta dropped to 10-5 and 3-4.
Hannah Monroe scored two goals and had two assists. Reagan Britt, Greer Stamper, and Kat Simmons added goals.
Talaya Broaders, Nahia McNamar and Jaicee Cole each had assists.
In goal, Ava Stephenson had three saves and Simmons had one.
On Monday, at home, the Marauders take on Pendleton Heights (6-6-1, 6-0) for the conference championship.
Whitaker scores New Pal’s goals in 3-2 win at Plainfield
Tylar Whitaker had a hat trick to help lead New Palestine’s girls soccer team to a 3-2 victory at Plainfield Saturday.
Nevaeh Gebhart, Hailey Pardieck and Shaylee Frank each had assists.
On Thursday, the final regular season game, New Palestine (10-5) hosts Roncalli (7-5-2) for Senior Night.
Robinson, McCarley lead Cougars to win
Ainsley Robinson had two goals and Paige McCarley had a goal and assist to help lead Greenfield-Central’s girls soccer team to a 3-2 victory over visiting Oldenburg Academy (9-6) Saturday.
Aubrey Bush also had an assist. Caroline Felver had eight saves.
Greenfield-Central (5-8) hosts Heritage Christian (8-5) Thursday.
Boys cross country
Markley wins 5K
Eastern Hancock’s Preston Markley won the Heritage Day Classic and the Royals boys cross country team placed fourth in a six-team field Saturday in Hope.
Markley won the 5K race in 16:27. Hauser’s Nolan Dailey was second in 16:33.5.
For the Royals, Andrew Metz placed 15th in 19:35.3. Caden Powers finished 17th in 19:58.8. Davis Decker (22:24.7) and Jud West (22:28.1) were 31st and 32nd, respectively.
Hauser won the team event with 40 points. Indy Genesis scored 68 edged Oldenburg Academy (69) for second. Eastern Hancock scored 80 points. Morristown (108) and Columbus Christian (143) rounded out the team scoring.
Eastern Hancock competes at the Winchester Invitational Saturday.
Girls cross country
Johnson wins Heritage Day race
Eastern Hancock girls cross country runner Sydney Johnson won the Heritage Day Classic race Saturday.
Johnson, a sophomore, ran the 5K race in 20:55, distancing herself from the second-place runner Jubilee Georgen, who finished in 21:58.
Two other Royals ran in the race. Kaylee Swan was 12th in 25:01.4. Riley Williams placed 30th in 34:09.1.
Only two schools had full squads (at least five runners) for team scores. Indy Genesis won with 20 and Oldenburg Academy scored 36.
Eastern Hancock competes at the Winchester Invitational Saturday.
Boys tennis
Eastern Hancock wins MEC
For the fourth straight year, the Eastern Hancock boys tennis team, this weekend, won the Mid-Eastern Conference championship.
The Royals have won five of the last six conference titles.
Eastern Hancock hosts Pendleton Heights Monday.
