By Eric Eaton
Hoosier Crossroads Conference Content Coordinator
LAFAYETTE – The Harrison Raiders entered class 4A sectional #7 competition having lost six of its final seven regular season matches.
However, as it always does, the state tournament gives teams an opportunity for a fresh start, since all regular season records are rendered meaningless once the tournament begins.
Well, Harrison took advantage of its fresh start, rolling to a sectional title at McCutcheon High School on October 25 with three game victories over both Kokomo and Lafayette Jefferson.
After downing Kokomo 25-17, 25-14, and 25-15 in the afternoon semifinal, coach Lori Janssen’s Raiders faced a Lafayette Jefferson team in the championship match that they had beaten in straight games earlier in the season.
The Raiders would get off to a fast start against Jeff in the title match, and thus sent the signal that they wouldn’t be taking the Bronchos lightly.
Harrison received a combined total of five kills from senior Sami Vierk and sophomore Alexa Banker in a convincing 25-15 opening-game victory over the Bronchos.
Lafayette Jeff would regroup in game two though, and held a 10-8 lead on Harrison, before everything would unravel for the underdog Bronchos.
Facing the before mentioned two-point deficit, the Raiders would run off a string of 10 consecutive points en route to a 25-18 game two victory over Lafayette Jeff.
The sophomore Banker dominated the second game from her outside hitter position, contributing six kills and a service ace in the win.
Harrison then made quick work of their Tippecanoe County and conference rivals in the third game, rolling to a 25-11 victory and capturing its second consecutive sectional title in the process.
For the game, Vierk led the Raiders in kills with 11, while Banker and senior Jacklyn Williams each added 10.
Lafayette Jeff, which finishes its season at 6-26, was led by the seven kills of sophomore middle hitter Morgan Riley.
With the win, Harrison (18-15) advances to the semifinals of the Huntington North Regional on Saturday, Nov. 1 to play the host 23-12 Vikings at approximately 12:30 P.M.
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