Chesterton seeks to win its third volleyball sectional title in school history and second in as many years at home today, a challenge that starts with an 11 a.m. match vs. Valparaiso

Tom Keegan
Onwardtrojans.com

Chesterton’s girls volleyball program has gone from not winning a sectional since 1977 to being the favorite to win a second consecutive sectional title today at home.
The Trojans (28-3) seek a third sweep this season against rival Valparaiso (17-14) in an 11 a.m. semifinal match. Portage defeated Merrillville 3-1 in Thursday night quarterfinal, setting up today’s 12:30 semifinal between Hobart (12-17) and Portage (12-19).
Chesterton dominated the first match against Valpo 25-15, 25-18, 25-15, but faced a much tougher challenge in the match at Valpo, winning 25-22, 25-20, 25-13.
“The second time we saw them they came out a lot more explosive, a lot more energy,” fourth-year head coach Lindsay Nibert said. “You could tell they really wanted to beat us. They played really well. It was a fun game to play. We’re expecting the same thing from them.”
The difference in Valpo in the second match, according to Nibert: “Their hitting got a lot more dynamic. They got a lot more aggressive with their hitting. I felt like they served a lot better. They were hoping they would catch us asleep at times.”
The winner of the Chesterton sectional advances to the LaPorte regional to play the winner of the Lake Central sectional that includes Crown Point.
Chesterton serving as host school of the sectional gives supporters one more chance to see the six seniors on the roster play at home.
Tenley Davis holds the school’s career and single season kills record has done so much to elevate the program in her four varsity seasons, her name will surface high in any conversation about the greatest volleyball players in school history. Setter Abby Parrish, another four-year varsity player, holds the school record for career assists.
Nibert shared her thoughts on the roles the other four seniors on the roster have played.
Ryleigh Connor: “I call her our back row captain. She’s been our libero probably a little over 50% of our games. She adds that vocal aspect the whole team needs. I like to call them air traffic controllers. She’s the one who’s always directing people what they should be doing, where they should be going, at what time. She’s always been a vocal player but playing consistently on varsity, she has gotten better at it.”
Peyton Ello: “She was injured in the very beginning of season and as soon as she came out of her injury, I think she realized what it was like to not be on the court and not be able to do what she loves and she started working her tail end off and she got back in and she got more dynamic and made more of a name for herself, so that was really exciting to see.”
Elaina Markwart: “She’s like our culture kid. She’s the type of person who will never roll her eyes, she’ll never fuss about anything. She doesn’t shy away from hard work. She’s someone anyone can go to. She’s that glue person that we need.”
Brooke Williams: “She is one of our most improved players. She has grown so much this season alone. Last season she grew a lot too, but this season she has really taken off.”
On senior night, Nibert started all six seniors and finished the night with all six seniors on the court, even though the way the rotation played out meant that Williams ended the night playing in the back row for the first time in her career.