MITCHELL — Brownstown Central has cranked its energy up a notch in the postseason.
The Lady Braves have proven to be a powerhouse in Class 2A in volleyball, and that didn’t change when the team officially advanced to semistate on Saturday evening.
Brownstown breezed through North Decatur in the semifinal to get to Linton-Stockton.
The Miners were the No. 1 team in Class 2A coming into the regional final matchup. It didn’t faze the Braves, as they took the victory in four sets.
Braves coach Jennifer Shade spoke about the regional final win.
“We knew going in that it was going to be a dogfight and that Linton was going to be strong,” she said. “But that’s what we planned for all year. That’s why we play a tough schedule, so we know how to compete.”
The Braves took the win over Linton-Stockton 18-25, 25-16, 25-19, 25-19. Sophie Wischmeier showed her power with 20 kills, Addison Darlage followed with 11 and Brailey Teipen recorded eight.
Improving to 24-13 on the season, the girls aren’t finished yet. Brownstown will now travel to Columbus East to compete against Indianapolis Scecina (25-11) on Oct. 28 at 1 p.m.
Tickets must be purchased online through Eventlink. More information can be found about purchasing tickets at ihsaa.org/sports/girls/volleyball/2023-24-tournament?round=semi-states. The cost of admission will be $12.
This power surge of intensity from the team has impressed Shade.
“The energy we showed on Saturday was unbelievable, and our goal was to play with emotion,” she said. “I know we have the skill set, but I’ve seen a switch turn with these girls at the end of the season. They played both games with no doubt in their minds about losing.”
Shade clinched her 16th regional title as coach for the Braves when the girls knocked off the Miners on Saturday evening. She’s more focused about the upcoming matchup with the Crusaders.
“I stayed up watching their game film. We were both ranked about the same throughout the season,” she said. “We play a little tougher schedule, in my opinion, but they do a lot of things right. We know we will have to continue with our energy and our practices, which have been phenomenal.”
In the regional semifinal, Brownstown knew exactly what it had to do on Saturday afternoon to get to the final. The Braves dominated North Decatur in three straight sets 25-16, 25-13, 25-23.
The Chargers took the first point in the first set, but their early advantage wouldn’t last long. Brownstown then rattled off seven straight to take the commanding 7-1 lead.
The Braves took control again at 13-6 before eventually taking the set 25-16.
The second set was not close. Brownstown seized the favor, being up 17-7 at one point. The girls would eventually win the set by the score of 25-13.
The third set was much closer with both teams battling for the upper hand. North Decatur and Brownstown went back-and-forth, neither side allowing the other to gain any advantage. The Braves buckled down to finish the set, sending the Chargers home in a thrilling 25-23 finish.
Shade spoke about the semifinal win over North Decatur.
“It was harder than we anticipated to put them away,” she said. “We had to settle in and continue working to get to the final. We were so anxious to get that third set over with. I can’t complain, though. A win is a win.”
Individual statistics
Game vs. Linton-Stockton
Serving:
Good Serves-Attempts-Aces
Alex Davidson, 14-14-1. Kinzee Dean, 16-18-4. Finley Wheeler, 17-18-2.
Team: 81-85-8
Hitting:
Good Attempts-Attempts-Kills
Sophie Wischmeier, 36-36-20. Addison Darlage, 25-29-11. Brailey Tiepen, 17-18-8.
Team: 105-115-48.
Game vs. North Decatur
Serving:
Good Serves-Attempts-Aces
Alex Davidson, 17-20-2. Kinzee Dean, 16-17-1. Sophie Wischmeier, 10-11-3.
Team: 66-72-6
Hitting:
Good Attempts-Attempts-Kills
Sophie Wischmeier, 41-46-20. Kera Wischmeier, 7-11-5. Brailey Teipen, 13-15-6.
Team: 92-115-41.