By JULIA EARNST, OPS staff writer
This year’s girls volleyball team won sectionals, something that hasn’t been done since 1992.
Senior Alison Hein was glad that she got to experience winning sectionals with her team and knew this was something that she would never forget.
Sophomore Kyndall Myers stated that she was just happy to be on the team and to represent her school. “I know it's been said many times but it really is the best feeling and is such an accomplishment for us as a team and to be able to represent our school is definitely an honor.”
Hein felt as though they made it to regionals because of their hard work, which showed in their numbers.
Hein scored 46 kills and in two separate matches and cleared 1,000 for her career. She was named the MaxPreps Player of the week in Indiana and won the Academic All-state award. “I’ve worked so hard on the court and in the classroom. I’m very happy that it’s all starting to pay off.”
She also and paced the team with 472 kills.
Darrian Carmean followed along with 284, softmore Maycee Lange with 222, and senior Sierra Helderman with 158.
Sophomore Kali Haynes with 512 digs.
Callie Foster had a career-high of 52 assists. Foster topped over 1,000 assist, hitting 1,009.
The ranking from the overall year ended 28-8, and Conference 4-2.
And while they didn’t win regionals they walked aways with a great sense of accomplishment. The JV awards were given to Cameron Cary for her mental attitude, Jaclyn Sutton for her hustle, and Myers for improving the most.
As for Varsity awards, The team captions, Foster and Hein won two, Hein winning the 2018 McDonald Award and most kills, Foster gained both most assist and the mental attitude award, and Rookie of the year went to Carmean.
Kali Haynes had the most digs and Maycee Lange with the most blocks.
The Ultimate Alice award went home with Sierra Helderman.
While awards gave the team a great sense of accomplishment, they all went home with something that will last a lot longer. Kyndall Myers stated that they did a lot of team bonding the week before regionals. “[...] because, as a team, we work better together when we are all on the same page.”
Mackenzie Newland stated that they aren’t only close as a team though, but also friends. Their bonding consisting of team dinners, and hanging out at some of each other houses.
Myers states “Everyone, dressing for the games or not, is on the team. We are a family and we’re all so close. Everyone is so encouraging and genuinely happy for eachother. Having such a great team bond had 100 percent been one of the biggest factors in us getting this far.”
And although they didn’t come home with the regional title, they came home with a bond that will last a lot longer, bringing this season to a bittersweet ending.
Filed Nov. 6, 2018
By EMMA KYFFIN, OPS staff writer
After Lincoln High School’s girls’ golf claimed their first ever Sectional win, they were excited to see if they could move forward to regionals.
“It is extremely exciting and rewarding to know that I helped our team to the first ever sectional win,” senior Natalie Kirchoff said.
But regionals did not go as planned. The Alices did not qualify for state finals in the 17th field at 430.
Leading the team Kirchoff shot 99, followed by Katie Stone with 107, Natalie Leonard 110, Josie Hays 114, and finally Anna Purdom with 119.
The team can not be full to blame. The weather was wet and rainy causing a bad impact on how all of the girls were able to play.
“I feel like the rain had a negative effect on not only me but everyone. It was really difficult to play under those circumstances.” Kirchoff said.
Even with the loss the team still feels satisfaction that they were Lincoln’s first ever girls golf sectional win together. The girls also were still able to bond and become great friends.
As a senior, this is Kirchoff’s last season playing and she does not plan on continuing on the sport onto college, she can reflect back and remember her team and their big accomplishments.
“It made us a lot closer because winning sectionals was our goal all season and it was so fulfilling to accomplish it,” she said.
Filed: 28 Sept. 2018