Whitlock powered Harrison previous McCutcheon for the Class 4A sectional title. She led the staff with 25 kills.
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) — On Saturday, Harrison volleyball did what they haven’t performed since 2014. Beat McCutcheon.
The Raiders had been led by senior Riley Whitlock, who had 25 kills within the 5 set battle.
“It simply felt so good,” Whitlock stated. “I imply, I’ve by no means performed it with these teammates earlier than. It was similar to we’ve by no means actually received something. We’ve all the time been falling in McCutcheon’s shadow. But it surely felt so good to lastly have our personal second. We’ve performed them twelve instances in my highschool profession and we’ve solely received as soon as. So it’s like an enormous deal.”
The Mavericks have knocked Harrison out of sectionals in six of the final seven seasons.
They had been 5 factors away from doing it once more on Saturday.
However a serving spree from Whitlock tied issues up, a troublesome kill from Whitlock introduced it to match level, and a block from Whitlock received the Raiders the Class 4A Sectional Championship.
Whitlock’s teammates tackled her to the ground after the ultimate level“I simply suppose, give attention to each single level and keep centered on each single factor you do,” Whitlock stated. “You’ll be able to’t slack off on something and it’s a complete staff effort. And all of us simply should be so mentally engaged in that second.”
Earlier within the season, Whitlock informed Sports activities 18 that she had hoped to beat McCutcheon in both the convention match or sectionals.
And he or she did simply that. Her ardour for competing began when she picked up the game in seventh grade, and it’s led her to decide to play at Ball State.
“I’m so excited to get to Ball State and simply have a brand new surroundings to play after which simply proceed to compete for 4 years,” Whitlock stated.
Whereas Whitlock will certainly be remembered for the massive win over McCutcheon for the sectional title, she additionally hopes to be remembered as a supportive teammate.“I simply need them to recollect me as an amazing chief and all the time being there for my teammates on and off the courtroom and that they will simply all the time discuss to me each time and simply all the time being there for them,” Whitlock stated.
Whitlock and the Raiders are headed to regional semifinals on Saturday morning. Harrison will face defending state champion Hamilton Southeastern at Homestead in Fort Wayne.
