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Trinity Lutheran repeats as 1A state champion with four-set win
INDIANAPOLIS - For different reasons, the second time around for Trinity Lutheran proved even more special.
Despite graduating five of six starters from a year ago when the Cougars captured their first state championship, Trinity returned and needed four sets to beat Faith Christian in the Class 1A title match.
Behind a 20-kill, 16-dig performance from sophomore Rachel Bonde, the Cougars took a 25-11, 25-15, 20-25, 25-16 triumph over the Eagles -- who finished runners-up for the second straight season. A year ago, Trinity won in three sets. This match marked the first rematch in Class 1A since 2007.
“This is really rewarding,” Trinity coach Janet VanLiew said. “These kids were written off after we lost a tremendous group of seniors. This group put in a year’s worth of work and they believed in our system.”
Early on, that ‘system’ appeared as if it would produce another resounding victory. The Cougars (23-11) were barely tested in the opening set, breaking out to leads of 5-0 and 12-2 as the team went on to collectively hit .241, while Faith struggled and finished with a minus-135 hitting percentage.
IHSAA Class 1A State Championship
Trinity Lutheran def. Faith Christian 3-1 (25-11, 25-15, 20-25, 25-16)
Set two began much the same way as Trinity led, 7-1 before the Eagles fought back to forge an 8-8 tie. Bonde, however, began to assert herself with an impressive eight kills as the Cougars went on to the 10-point victory.
“It was kind of a rerun of last year,” Faith Christian coach Josh Hill said of the first two sets. “It took us a while to get our legs under us and Trinity is very good.”
It took the Eagles (31-5) to fall down 4-1 in the third set before they woke up. Olivia Barber and Brooklyn Perry sparked the FC attack allowing the Eagles to roar back to an 11-10 lead.
Back came Trinity which pulled ahead, 17-13, and appeared poised to clinch the match. The Eagles, however, rallied to tie it at 18-18 before two consecutive Barber aces gave Faith a lead it didn’t relinquish.
“It was our energy that got us back in it,” Hill said. “We started being more aggressive and we really had to serve well in order to keep them out of their system. We didn’t do that very well in the first two sets, but we did in the third.”
The Cougars stopped Faith’s momentum immediately in set four by breaking out to a 9-2 lead and never let the Eagles rally.
“It was critical for us to have that quick start,” VanLiew said. “We really don’t have an experienced group and we needed to get our confidence back.”
VanLiew isn’t kidding about her team not being experienced. Only two seniors dotted this year’s roster and only four players from the 2024 champions were in uniform this time around.
Bonde hit an impressive .405 in amassing her match-high 20 kills, while teammate Emerson Warren added 13 kills. Bella Wehmiller had 35 assists and three aces and Emmy Price led the Cougars with 23 digs.
Barber led Faith with 16 kills and Perry had 11. Caya Stillings had a match-high 30 digs and Brooklyn Perry's four blocks solo set a new 1A state championship record.
Trinity is the first 1A champion with double-digit losses since 2012.
Class 1A State Championship Records
Block Solos: 4 by Brooklyn Perry, Faith Christian.
Bailey Bonde of Trinity Lutheran named Mental Attitude Award recipient
Following the match, Bailey Bonde of Trinity Lutheran High School was announced as the recipient of the Mental Attitude Award by the IHSAA Executive Committee.
Bailey ranks first in her class and has received Academic All-State honors for her efforts in the classroom. She’s a member of Trinity’s National Honor Society, National Youth for Life, and the Trinity Band.
Bailey is an exceptional multi-sport athlete, participating in volleyball, basketball, and track & field during her high school career. She’s been named All-State for her play on the volleyball court. Bailey’s a two-year starter for Trinity and helped them secure the 2024 Class 1A State Championship.
She is the daughter of Jason and Mary Bonde of Seymour, IN and plans to pursue studies in Mechanical Engineering at Concordia University Wisconsin while continuing her career in volleyball.
The Mental Attitude Award is annually presented to a senior nominated by her principal and coach, and has demonstrated excellence in mental attitude, scholarship, leadership, and athletic ability during her four years of high school.
Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, a proud corporate partner of the IHSAA, presented a $1,000 scholarship to Trinity Lutheran High School’s general scholarship fund in the name of Bailey Bonde.
IHSAA’s Champion of Education Award, presented by Ivy Tech Community College
This award recognizes teachers and faculty who go above and beyond to challenge students to reach their full potential. As an organization that emphasizes keeping education at the forefront of high school athletics, the IHSAA is proud to shine a light on two honorees in this year’s class. On behalf of Ivy Tech Community College, presenting sponsors of the IHSAA Champion of Education Award, the IHSAA will award $250 to the classroom of each recipient.
Dr. Nicole Hume teaches Chemistry at Faith Christian School, where her deep love for students shines through in everything she does. She consistently goes above and beyond to equip them with the tools they need to succeed, both academically and personally. A dedicated supporter of Faith Christian Volleyball, Dr. Hume has spent the past four years keeping stats for the program. Her unwavering commitment and joyful presence have made a lasting, positive impact on the school’s culture!
Shane Fallis teaches Social Studies at Trinity Lutheran High School, where his genuine care and unwavering encouragement have made a remarkable impact on the school community. Known for building meaningful relationships with every student, Shane regularly checks in on their well-being, celebrates their accomplishments, and offers steady support when challenges arise. His enthusiasm for Trinity’s extracurricular programs further reflects his deep commitment to developing the whole student, mind, heart, and character!
