New Palestine’s Samantha Gooding (16) and Kyndra Monteith (4) celebrate after one of the Dragons 18 wins. On Tuesday, New Palestine defeated Hoosier Heritage Conference foe Delta.
Mike Brown | For The Daily Reporter
Staff report
During its run to an 18-0 start to its season, New Palestine’s volleyball team has had numerous 3-0 victories.
It added another one to the total — making it nine for the season — in a Hoosier Heritage Conference win at home Tuesday over Delta.
It was far from a typical three-set sweep. The Dragons won by set scores of 25-22, 25-23, 27-25.
They trailed 22-12 in the third set.
“What a tremendous comeback. We battled all night long against a scrappy Delta team,” New Palestine head coach Kelli Gabehart said. “They jumped out early in the third set and had us down 10 points. We rallied back after a timeout and won the match. That is the greatest comeback from a team I’ve coached. That took a lot of heart, grit, and mental toughness. So proud of my group. They are winners.”
Along with 18 straight regular-season wins, the Dragons improved to 2-0 in conference play.
New Palestine middle Hayden Ramsey had eight blocks and seven kills.
Natalie Sevier had a team-high 12 kills to go with 11 digs. Josie Corbett had 11 kills and six digs.
Setter Samantha Gooding had 28 assists and nine digs. Kyndra Monteith had a team-high 12 digs to go with two service aces. Makaeli Johnson had eight digs and Azure Flagle had seven digs and two aces.
The Dragons put their unbeaten record on the line tonight at Perry Meridian, and host Pendleton Heights in an HHC match Thursday.
Royals sweep Spartans
Eastern Hancock’s volleyball team earned a 3-0 sweep at Southwestern (11-9) Tuesday.
The Royals won by set scores of 25-17, 25-20, 25-13.
Eastern Hancock (15-4, 5-1) returns to action Thursday with a home Mid-Eastern Conference match against Monroe Central (2-13, 1-2).
Boys soccer
Marauders get closer to conference title
Mt. Vernon’s boys soccer team defeated host Shelbyville (5-6, 2-2) Tuesday 3-0 to improve to 7-2-1 overall and 6-0 in the Hoosier Heritage Conference.
The Marauders are one win away from clinching a conference title.
On Tuesday, Drew Lynch, Colby Smith and Carson O’Farrell scored goals. Luke Alka, Charlie Cole and Brady Webber had assists.
The Marauders host the Marauder Classic Saturday and will play Oak Hill at 10:30 a.m. and Class 3A No. 16 Crown Point at a time to be determined.
Mt. Vernon’s final HHC match is Thursday, Sept. 26 against Pendleton Heights (5-2, 1-0).
Cougars lose close road match
Greenfield-Central’s boys soccer team lost 3-2 at Park Tudor (8-2) Tuesday.
Ryan Dietz had both G-C goals. Justin Lane and Cale Caldwell had assists.
All three Park Tudor goals came in the first half.
Greenfield-Central (0-8, 0-4) returns to action Thursday with a Hoosier Heritage Conference match at New Palestine (5-6, 3-1).
New Pal falls to Greenwood
New Palestine’s boys soccer team took an early 1-0 lead on a penalty kick by Cole Christopher, but the Greenwood Woodmen rallied back with two second-half goals to defeat the Dragons 2-1 Tuesday at New Palestine.
The Dragons (5-6, 3-1) are back in action Thursday with a home Hoosier Heritage Conference match against Greenfield-Central (0-8, 0-4).
Girls golf
Royals win 4-teamer
Eastern Hancock’s girls golf team won a four-team meet hosted by Randolph Southern Tuesday.
The Royals scored a 227 and Knightstown had a 246. Randolph Southern and Union City did not have enough players for a team score.
It was the final regular-season match for Eastern Hancock. The Royals play Monday in the New Palestine Sectional at The Links.
Boys tennis
Royals get two wins
Eastern Hancock’s boys tennis team picked up victories Monday and Tuesday.
The Royals defeated visiting Frankton 4-1 on Monday and won 3-2 at Heritage Christian on Tuesday.
Eastern Hancock competes in the Mid-Eastern Conference tournament Friday at Shenandoah.
Marauders fall to Trojans
Mt. Vernon’s boys tennis team lost 3-2 to visiting No. 24 Bishop Chatard Tuesday.
The Marauders host Franklin Central today.
Boys cross country
Markley wins invitational
Eastern Hancock’s Preston Markley won the individual championship at Tuesday’s New Castle Boys Cross Country Invitational at Memorial Park.
Markley won the 5K race in 17:52.92. The Royals had two runners in the race. Jud West was 35th in 24:00.78.
Rushville won the team event.
Eastern Hancock will host the Eastern Hancock Invitational Saturday.
Girls cross country
Johnson runner-up at New Castle
Eastern Hancock’s Sydney Johnson finished second at the New Castle Girls Cross Country Invitational at Memorial Park Tuesday.
Johnson ran the 5K course in 22:20.61. New Castle’s Anyah Amman was the individual winner in 21:00.70.
For the Royals, Kaylee Swan was 12th (21:00.70) and Riley Williams placed 36th (42:51.51).
New Castle won the team event.
Eastern Hancock will host the Eastern Hancock Invitational Saturday.
