INDIANAPOLIS–Following a rude awakening, the Pendleton Heights volleyball team rebounded Saturday to post a third-place finish in the Covenant Christian Invitational.
Pendleton Heights opened their day with the sternest of tests, playing the defending state 2A runner-up Warriors at 9 a.m. Covenant Christian looked very much like a team that could return to the state finals, as they dominated the Arabians 25-10, 25-9 to open pool play. Junior Gracie Criswell and senior Brinkley Gary had six digs each and sophomore Aubree Dwiggins handed out nine assists.
Following a short break, Pendleton Heights bounced back with a dominant win over Waldron 25-11, 25-13 behind six kills from Gary and 15 digs by sophomore Ally Hall.
The Arabians wrapped up pool play with a three-set 22-25, 25-17, 15-10 win over Decatur Central. Senior Michelle Merryman led the Arabians with seven kills and 26 serves received, while Hall had 13 digs, and Dwiggins led the passing game with 21 assists.
With the consecutive wins, the Arabians finished second in their pool and played Harrison in the third-place match. Behind 12 kills from Gary and eight from sophomore Gracie King, Pendleton Heights won another three-set match, defeating the Raiders 15-25, 25-23, 15-8. Sophomore Averi Lanman had three aces, Hall had 10 digs, and Dwiggins handed out 24 assists.
The Arabians improved to 5-2 on the season and will host Westfield Monday and Noblesville Tuesday, both matches scheduled to start at 7 p.m.
