Krea Martin
After putting together its longest winning streak of the season, Columbus East ran into a major force on Thursday night.
The Olympians, who had put together wins against Bloomington South, Columbus North and Madison in the previous nine days, saw their streak come to an end at the hands of Class 4A No. 6 Roncalli. East got closer in each set, but the Royals posted a 25-7, 25-13, 25-15 volleyball victory.
“We knew it was going to be a tough one coming into it, and I think our girls just were on their heels and didn’t have a lot of the up-and-go that I thought we’d have after the week that we had,” East coach Ellyn McIntosh said. “We were playing just a little bit scared. I was hoping to see some more out of them tonight.”
The Olympians (9-18) led 7-6 in the second set and 8-7 in the third set before Roncalli pulled away in each.
“We switched some things around, and I saw some good things come and go throughout the match,” McIntosh said. “But we definitely need a little bit more spark to help us into sectional this week.”
Caroline Frost recorded six kills and two block assists, and Krea Martin had 13 assists and two aces to lead East. Jenna Guse and Kimberly Carothers each had two block assists, and Chloe Gilley notched nine digs.
Also for the Olympians, Guse tallied five kills and four digs. Frost and Addison Emery also added four digs.
East will wrap up regular-season play in its own tournament beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, then will have a week off before playing the Franklin-East Central winner in the Franklin Sectional semifinals on Oct. 14. The sectional final is that night.
