SEYMOUR
When the top-ranked Trinity Lutheran Cougars volleyball team needs to close out a game, they turn to their lone senior Hannah Sabotin.
Up by five points in the third set, the Cougars allowed the visiting No. 10 Rock Creek Academy Lions to creep back to within two. Trinity called a timeout to settle themselves down and Sabotin took control.
Sabotin had her hand in winning three of the Cougars’ final three points to secure a straight-sets win (25-21, 25-14, 25-21) over the Lions.
She had two kills and half a block that she split with junior outside hitter Kennedy Hoffman.
The Cougars’ senior leader ended the night with 14 kills.
Trinity’s victory over the Lions is the second over a Class A top-10 program in as many weeks.
With the postseason right around the corner, picking up big wins over tough opponents is a big boost to morale for the front-running Cougars, who downed No. 3 Loogootee last week in five sets on the road.
On Thursday night, the Lions gave the Cougars all they could handle in stints, but many of their points were gained due to Trinity errors on the attack or in serves.
When the Cougars hit their stride, like they did in Set 2, they sucked any sort of momentum the Lions had out of the building.
Though the Lions started the second frame in front, an 8-0 run by Trinity took the wind out of their sails and they were never able to recover.
In addition to Sabotin, the Cougars also got plenty of production out of Sydney Jaynes and Hoffman, who produced 10 and five kills, respectively.
Attacks from Estella Kleffman and Ruthie Bigham also kept the Lion defense on edge and out of their comfort zone.
The top-ranked Cougars begin their postseason journey next Tuesday against Jackson County rival Crothersville at 6 p.m. in the first round of the Trinity Lutheran sectional.
Trinity defeated the Tigers in straight sets earlier this season. The winner will play Medora in the first Saturday semifinal match at 11 a.m.
They’re looking to win their sixth straight sectional and ninth overall.