Indiana High School Athletic Association, Inc.

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

 

November 4, 2006

 

 

MICHIGAN CITY MARQUETTE CLAIMS CLASS A TITLE

In a rematch of the 2005 championship, Michigan City Marquette (29-9) defeated the Loogootee Lions (33-5) to claim the IHSAA Class A volleyball championship at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.  The Blazers earned their sixth state title in eight years and third in a row in a thrilling five-game showdown 22-25, 25-20, 20-25, 26-24, 15-8.

 

Head coach Troy Campbell’s Blazers went back and forth with the Lions for the entire match before forcing a decisive fifth game.  Freshman outside hitter Brianna Gannon led Marquette with a double-double, posting 22 kills to go along with 17 digs.  Junior middle blocker Kathryn Krueger added 15 kills, finishing with a .293 hitting percentage.  The Blazers were led defensively by senior libero Rachel Konrady, as she notched 22 digs in the victory.

 

Loogootee senior middle hitter Taylor Wittmer finished with a match-high 32 kills on a .314 hitting percentage, while also adding a team-high 17 digs.  Seniors Katie Mattingly and Blair Dearwester paced the Lions on the defensive side, posting 15 digs apiece.

 

The Blazers advanced to their eighth consecutive championship match with a sweep of Northeast Dubois (32-4) in the second semifinal.  Loogootee reached the final by topping Cowan (29-8) in a five-game thriller.

 

 

LOOGOOTEE’S TAYLOR WITTMER NAMED MENTAL ATTITUDE WINNER

Loogootee senior middle blocker Taylor Wittmer was named winner of the 2006 Mental Attitude Award for Class A Volleyball by members of the IHSAA Executive Committee.

 

Wittmer helped the Lions to a 33-5 record and their second-straight state finals appearance.  She is a three-time all-state selection.

 

Wittmer maintains a 3.634 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale.  She is a high honors student and also a member of the BETA honor society.  Wittmer plans on attending Indiana University on a volleyball scholarship.

 

Taylor is the daughter of Nancy and Bob Butcher and Terry and Susan Wittmer.

 

Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, the IHSAA’s corporate partner, presented a scholarship check for $1,000.00 to Loogootee High School in the name of Taylor Wittmer.  Since 1989, more than $551,000 in college scholarships has been presented by Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance to deserving high school students in Indiana.

 

 

VSN MEANS ACTION PHOTOGRAPHY

Visit our friends at Visual Sports Network, the IHSAA’s official photographer for all state championship events and one of the leading action photographers in the Midwest. VSN, which was on site, has captured thousands of images from this year’s State Finals and will have them ready for viewing within a couple days of the state finals.

 

 

STATE FINALS PROGRAMS AVAILABLE

Couldn’t be at state finals? You can still purchase a copy of the official souvenir 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, have your Visa or MasterCard ready and call us at 317-846-6601 during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. EDT).