Columbus East coach Ellyn McIntosh talks to her team during a timeout against Bloomington North at Columbus East, Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023.
The Republic file photo
Columbus North drew an opening-round matchup with Shelbyville, and defending sectional champion Columbus East drew a first-round bye for next week’s Class 4A volleyball sectional at Franklin in pairings announced by the IHSAA on Sunday night.
The Bull Dogs will meet Shelbyville at around 7:45 p.m. Oct. 12, following the 6 p.m. opener between East Central and Franklin.
The Olympians will play the East Central-Franklin winner at 11 a.m. Oct. 14. Columbus East beat Franklin in five sets in last year’s sectional final. The North-Shelbyville winner will face Whiteland in the second semifinal at around 12:45 p.m. Oct. 14.
Columbus North’s Karen Dutro (13) is fired up after blocking a serve at the net during a match against Bloomington North at Columbus North High School.
The Republic file photo
All sectional finals are at 6 p.m. Oct. 14.
Meanwhile, Hauser and North Decatur will meet in a rematch in the opening round of the Class 2A Southwestern (Hanover) Sectional at 6 p.m. Cot. 12. The Jets beat the Chargers in five sets in the first round last year on their way to winning the sectional and again last week to clinch at least a tie for this year’s Mid-Hoosier Conference title.
Hauser’s Mattie Foster (3) digs out a serve as Hauser’s Charleston Gelfius (5) looks on during a match against Shelbyville at Hauser High School.
The Republic file photo
The Hauser-North Decatur winner will face Switzerland County at 11 a.m. Oct. 14. In the second semifinal, host Southwestern will meet the winner of the Milan-South Ripley first-round match.
In Class A, Edinburgh and South Decatur will play each other in the first round of the Waldron Sectional at 6 p.m. Oct. 10. The winner will face Waldron in the semifinals at 11 a.m. Oct. 14.
Class A No. 5 Trinity Lutheran drew a bye and will play in the semifnals at 11 a.m. Oct. 14 against Crothersville or New Washington.
In 3A, Brown County drew a first round bye and will play at 11 a.m. Oct. 14 against the winner of the first-round game between West Vigo and Owen Valley.
The regional round will take place on Oct. 21. The semistate, where Columbus East will be one of the host sites in the southern half of the state, will be Oct. 28. The state finals are Nov. 4 at Ball State’s Worthen Arena.
