Indiana High School Athletic Association

9150 North Meridian Street, Box 40650, Indianapolis, Indiana 46240-0650

Phone: 317-846-6601    Fax: 317-575-4244    Website: www.ihsaa.org

Blake Ress, Commissioner

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MEDIA ADVISORY                                                              November 8, 2003

 

 

INDIANAPOLIS CATHEDRAL KNOCKS OFF DEFENDING CHAMPION MUNCIE CENTRAL IN THREE GAMES

In a battle of the top two teams in Class 4A, Indianapolis Cathedral stunned top-ranked and defending state champion Muncie Central in three games at Hinkle Fieldhouse on November 8, 2003.

 

The Irish (38-2) took the first two games, 21-16 and 21-18 before Muncie Central built a third game advantage, including leads of 15-11 and 17-14, before Cathedral stormed back with four straight points for a 18-17 lead. Cathedral won its second Class 4A title in three years when a Muncie Central attempt went long with the Irish leading at 21-20.

 

The win marked the fourth state championship for coach Jean Kesterson and the Irish, who won Class 3A titles in 1997 and 1999 and a Class 4A crown in 2001. It was the third meeting of the season between the two schools with Muncie Central winning both encounters -- 2-1 on a neutral floor on August 30 and 3-2 at Cathedral on October 2. It was the first time, however, the pair had met for the state championship since Cathedral moved up to Class 4A two years ago.

 

The result also ended the Bearcats’ 69-match winning streak that dated back to 2-1 loss at the hands of Kentucky power Louisville Assumption on September 6, 2002. Muncie Central ended its runner-up season at 38-1.

 

Alex Montefalco led Cathedral with 12 kills and Annie O’Connor added 27 assists as the setter. Kelli Miller led the Bearcats offensively with eight kills.

 

Both swept to impressive wins in the morning’s semifinal matches. The Bearcats, coached by first-year leader Wes Lyon, rolled past fifth-ranked Elkhart Memorial, 21-10, 21-13, 21-16 and the Irish eliminated fourth-ranked Columbus East, 21-18, 21-11, 21-12.

 

Muncie Central’s Katy Bird Wins Mental Attitude Award

Kathryn “Katy” Bird of Muncie Central High School was named recipient of the 2003 IHSAA Class 4A Mental Attitude Award for volleyball, as selected by the IHSAA Executive Committee.  The recipient of the award, who was nominated by her principal and coach, must excel in mental attitude, scholarship, leadership and athletic ability in volleyball.

 

Katy ranks 18th in her class of 256 and is a member of the National Honor Society.  Her college plans, at this time, are not yet finalized. 

 

Her extracurricular activities include membership in the Latin Club, Key Club and Swing Choir.  She has performed volunteer work for the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and their Thanksgiving Baskets program for the past seven years, as well as serving as a volunteer coach for the Munciana Volleyball Club, instructing girls in the 2nd and 3rd grades. 

 

She has received the Martin Luther King Citizenship Award and Kiwanis Top Student Award.

 

She is a four-year varsity letter winner and a 2002 Junior All-Star, as well as being named to the All-North Central Conference Academic Team.  As a junior, she was voted as one of the Top 10 Defensive Players in the Nation by Student Sports Magazine.

 

Katy’s sister, Samantha, was the 2002 Class 4A Mental Attitude Award winner. She is the daughter of Sue and Jeff Bird of Muncie.

 

Farm Bureau Insurance, IHSAA corporate partner, presented a $1,000.00 scholarship check to Muncie Central High School in the name of Kathryn “Katy” Bird.

 

New IHSAA Book, Play On, Recaps 100 Years Of High School Sports in Indiana

Looking for holiday gift ideas? The exciting new book, Play On, celebrating 100 years of high school sports in Indiana, is perfect for both that sports fan or the history buff you know. Filled with 150 pages of engaging photographs, captivating stories and a walk down memory lane, it’s now on sale through the Indiana High School Athletic Association. It’s not available in book stores, so contact the IHSAA at 317-846-6601 or click on the link above to learn more about this special tribute to 100 years of Indiana high school athletics.

 

Team Posters And Individual Action Photographs Available

Visit 20-20 Photographic, the IHSAA’s photographer and the Midwest’s Leader in Sports Action Photography, for images captured during this Saturday’s state championship matches! Action photos and team photos as well as the 20-20’s Ultimate Sports Poster will be available for purchase later in the week following the state finals.

 

IHSAA State Championship Merchandise

For t-shirts and other merchandise commemorating this year’s tournament or for any of our events, visit our friends at Morris, Inc.

 

State Finals Programs Available

Couldn’t be there for the volleyball state finals? You can still purchase a copy of the official state finals program while supplies last! Programs are $3.00 if you purchase in person at the IHSAA Office (9150 N. Meridian Street in Indianapolis) or $5.00 by mail (postage included). To order, send a check for $5.00 made payable to the IHSAA, a note with your return address and brief description of your request and mail to: IHSAA Programs, PO Box 40650, Indianapolis, IN 46240-0650. Sorry, no credit cards. To further inquire, e-mail Assistant Sports Information Director Jason Wille at jwille@ihsaa.org.