Senior Night Success for Greensburg

Aaron Kirchoff, Sports Editor, Greensburg Daily News

The emotions of Senior Night filled Greensburg’s gym on Thursday as there was sadness for the senior players in the final home game in a Pirate uniform, but also the excitement of posting a three-game victory over visiting Brown County 25-16, 25-21, 25-16.

Greensburg’s Holly Kohrman and Ciara Hershauer were honored with their parents in front of their relatives, fans, teammates and coaches in their final home volleyball match.

“The two of them have been very dedicated to the sport, playing each year while in high school as well as playing in the winter months on a club team. They were successful in both and have earned the respect of all they have played with and against. They will truly be missed,” noted Pirates coach Randy Obermeyer.

After the ceremony, the Pirates put on a show for those in attendance.

“Everyone on the team did exactly what they have been trained to do and did it better than I had hoped. It was amazing just watching what these young ladies are capable of once they put their minds to it. Passing was incredible tonight, which made it easy for the setters to also set amazingly well, while in turn made for some fantastic hitting,” noted Obermeyer.

Game 1 was tied at 13-13 until Ciara Hershauer fire off 12 straight service points to put the Pirates in a comfortable lead.

In Game 2, the Pirates took a 20-8 lead before the Eagles fought back in the game. At 21-18 the bleeding stopped, and the Pirates put Brown County away.

In Game 3, the Pirates kept the momentum throughout the game.

“The challenge lies now in keeping the momentum in our pockets for a full week going into sectional play,” noted Obermeyer.

Greensburg’s Ashley Leitgabel put on her best passing performance of the season with 19 passes on serve receive and no errors. Kohrman led the team in digs with 16 also with no errors, as well as in kills with eight. Erica Oakley dominated as setter tonight as she finished with 15 assists. Ciara Hershauer toed the service line for five aces and went 20-for-20 from the line.

The win brings the varsity record to 10-20 on the season and 3-7 in the EIAC. Greensburg will take on South Dearborn at 6 p.m. Thursday in the Franklin County Sectional.

  The junior varsity Pirates defeated Brown County in two games 25-16, 25-17.

“It was another very solid performance by this young team and they dominated the match from the beginning. It was great to see them play so well for their final game of the season. All of these girls worked very hard this season to learn the fundamentals that it takes to be a better player, and it has paid off for them,” noted Obermeyer.

Mollye Leas led the team in passing from the serve with six and no errors. Tawna Chauncy had six digs with no errors and also finished with five kills. Amber Leitgabel led in setting with six assists. The serving ace leader was Jessica Morris with three.

The win brings the junior varsity record to 13-11 on the season and 5-5 in the EIAC.

The freshman Pirates finish season with a win over Brown County 25-20, 25-20.

The first game was tied 18-18 when the Pirate’s Tasha Heaton came to the line to take the score to 24-18.

Game 2 went pretty much the same way for both teams up to a 15-15 tie when Kim Kamman came to the line to take it to 20-16. Brown County came back to cut the lead to 22-20. The next side out brought Greensburg’s Brittany Jones to the line where she served two straight aces to win the game and match.

Heaton was 15-for-17 from the line with four aces, one kill and one block. Kim Kamman was 10-for-10 from the line with two aces. Brittany Jones was 5-for-5 with three aces. Michaella Buell finished 4-for-6 with an ace and three kills. Erica Schwering added nine kills and was 5-for-6 from the line.

“It was a slow paced match from the start but our girls played strong to get the win. It’s been a fun season for me, these girls done everything I asked of them and I really appreciate that. This was my first season coaching volleyball and the girls were behind me every step of the way. I just can’t say thank you enough to all that helped throughout the season,” noted freshman coach Brian Dodson. 

The win ends the freshman’s record at 11-9 on the season and 5-5 in the EIAC.

Click here to see photographs of the Brown County vs. Greensburg volleyball competition.