MUNCIE — The stakes were high in Worthen Arena on Saturday afternoon with the Lady Braves battling the Owls from Muncie Burris for the Class 2A volleyball state championship.
The girls played their hearts out and left it all on the court but fell to the Owls 25-23, 25-16, 25-17. The title was the 23rd state title in Muncie Burris history.
Brownstown Central head coach Jennifer Shade spoke about the result with the Owls.
“It was a tough loss. Props to them for playing well enough to win,” she said. “This was the season we wanted to have. We wanted to be here at the state finals and to be one of the best two teams in the state. I’m really proud of our girls, especially for as young as we are.”
Braves junior Addison Darlage also spoke about the loss to the Owls.
“The outcome was certainly not what we had hoped, but overall, it was a surreal experience, and lifelong memories were made with my best friends,” she said. “I’m still proud of what we accomplished to be one of the top teams in the state of Indiana.”
The Lady Braves pose with their IHSAA State Runner-Up trophy after the game against Muncie-Burris on Saturday.
Dakota Locker | The Tribune
Brownstown’s Addison Darlage (5) sends a ball over the net against the Owls at Worthen Arena on Saturday.
Dakota Locker | The Tribune
Brownstown’s Kera Wischmeier (8) and Brailey Teipen (11) soar for the block attempt on Saturday in the state final.
Dakota Locker | The Tribune
The Lady Braves celebrate a point during the third set against Muncie-Burris.
Dakota Locker | The Tribune
Braves fans row the boat during the game against the Owls on Saturday.
Dakota Locker | The Tribune
Burris got out to a fast start in the first set, jumping out to a 9-3 lead, forcing Brownstown to call a timeout. The girls rallied after the break, cutting the lead to three at 14-11, eventually tying the set at 15.
The Owls would go on a run to take the 19-15 lead, but the Braves battled back to tie it again at 22. Brownstown would fall just short in the first set, losing by two points.
The second set was no different for the Owls, who got out to another quick lead.
This time, it was 10-5 in favor of Muncie Burris. But the Braves continued to compete and pulled back within three at 16-13.
Brownstown made a final run to make it 21-15, but the Owls would secure the win 25-16.
The third and final set followed suit with the first two, a fast Owls start, leading 3-0 to kick off the set.
The energy was electric for the game.
Brownstown fans and their players showed up in support. Shade spoke about everyone showing up for the Lady Braves during the postseason.
“The fans, the community and the kids have all been phenomenal,” Shade said. “The energy these kids brought to each game through this postseason all the way to the end is something I’m very proud of.”
It was a magical run for Brownstown, which rolled through sectional, defeating Henryville, Paoli, and Mitchell. They didn’t stop in regional, downing North Decatur and Linton-Stockton.
Then they traveled to Columbus East to defeat Indianapolis Scecina last weekend in semistate to get to the title game.
The Braves also lost three seniors who finished up their Brownstown volleyball careers.
Adelynn Anderson, Kera Wischmeier and Kaitlyn Williams played their final game under coach Shade. She spoke about the group of girls.
“You’re always going to miss your seniors, and we knew that today was going to be our last day regardless,” she said. “It always makes me sad when we lose these kids. I’m proud of them for giving it their all for us.”
Brownstown ends it’s 2023 season with a 24-14 record and finished second in the Mid-Southern Conference with a 7-1 record.
Individual Statistics
Hitting:
Total Attempts-Errors-Kills
Addison Darlage, 32-5-10. Sophie Wischmeier, 29-5-9. Kinzee Dean, 14-1-1, Kera Wischmeier, 11-2-6
Team: 103-16-30.
Assists: Kaitlyn Williams, 12. Finley Wheeler, 11. Sophie Wischmeier and Jaydynn Yeadon, 3.
Team: 29
Digs: Jaydynn Yeadon, 13. Sophie Wischmeier, 7. Finley Wheeler and Alex Davidson, 5.
Team: 40