Springs Valley Community High School

Just days after its championship run at the Class A Showdown, the Springs Valley volleyball team was riding a high when it hosted Loogootee on Tuesday. The Blackhawks put the pedal to the floor from the very start of the match and though they did hit a bump in the road, they ultimately defeated the Lions 25-10, 24-26, 25-15, 25-16. It was their first victory over their longtime regional rival and new sectional rival since 2018, snapping a four-match losing streak to Loogootee. “The momentum carried on from Saturday and I thought it was important that we came out here and showed dominance from the start,” Springs Valley coach Erin Carnes said. “We dropped a set but we didn’t play poorly, we just didn’t play as well. I thought we were in the driver’s seat for every other set. I like the way that we played and I’m glad we’ve got that (win) in hand going into the (state) tournament.” Springs Valley’s defense was the driving force behind its win, as it’s been in many matches this season. The Blackhawks passed the ball exceptionally well, allowing themselves multiple options in attack because of it. They also blocked well, putting up eight as a team and altering a number of other shots in the process. “Throughout the game I thought everything tightened up a little bit more,” Carnes said. “I thought our defense in the backcourt and at the net totally took them out of their game. (Loogootee junior Madison) Ramsey got a hold of one really good one and after that it was just kind of balls that got through our block a little bit, nothing too overpowering.” Springs Valley’s defensive effort was led by Brynne Buchanan. The senior was everywhere on Tuesday, racking up 23 digs by herself, a new career high. She was also strong in serve reception with seven of her 12 passes allowing the Blackhawk attack to run three hitters. Tack on a couple of blocks, a couple of aces, an assist, and four kills and it was a pretty productive night for one of the Blackhawks’ leaders. “Brynne’s the smallest one out there, but she brings that leadership and she brings the energy,” Carnes said. “That kid just does not like to lose, and that’s almost better than having kids who like to win. She hates to lose more than anything, so she’ll almost kill herself trying to get to a ball and she expects you to do the same.” Springs Valley (23-4, 4-0 PLAC) has now won six matches in a row and will go for a seventh on Thursday against Paoli. With a win over the Rams, the Blackhawks would clinch at least a share of the Patoka Lake Athletic Conference title. That will be the first of some big matches, as next week they’ll host Salem for senior night and travel to Perry Central for their conference finale. That will round out the regular season and send Springs Valley headlong into the state tournament. As the Blackhawks try to keep a full head of steam heading toward sectional, they know that they just need to stay within themselves. “I don’t think we need to do anything spectacular. We just need to play our game,” Carnes said. “We need to control the ball, take care of the first contact, and when we do that everything else falls into place. I’ve stressed to these girls and harped on it all year long, we need to let our defense bring our offense. Sometimes your offense isn’t there, but if you’re all over on defense, your offense will eventually get there.” SPRINGS VALLEY 3, LOOGOOTEE 1 Loogootee 10 26 16 15 — 1 Springs Valley 25 24 25 25 — 3 Springs Valley: Leigh Carnes 15 kills, 22 assists, 12 digs, 4 blocks; Maddie Carnes 14 kills, 31 assists, 17 digs, 2 aces; Bella Nottger 12 kills, 4 digs, 6 blocks, 2 aces; Alayna Denbo 7 kills, 2 blocks; Tynley Kluesner 6 kills, 15 digs, 1 block, 2 aces; Brynne Buchanan 4 kills, 1 assist, 23 digs, 2 blocks, 2 aces; Molly Tucker 1 assist, 17 digs, 2 aces.