Hauser wins volleyball sectional, defeating Southwestern

When two comparable volleyball teams get together for three times during a volleyball season, you never know for sure who will come out the winner.

I watched Hauser and Southwestern battle it out in the Lawrenceburg tourney one weekend when we pulled out a 19-25, 25-14, 15-13 victory. We were then able to defeat them during the week at Southwestern 25-16, 28-30, 23-25, 25-23, and 15-11 in a thrilling and important conference match.

So, when Southwestern defeated Oldenburg and Hauser defeated Jac-Cen-Del in the Hauser Class A Sectional, they would meet again.

Hauser got off to a great start while never losing the lead and won the first set 25-20. In the second set, Southwestern once again never had the lead and fell 25-14.

The Spartans were finally able to get up in the third set, but the Jets eventually pulled ahead at 18-15 when Southwestern called a time out. Hauser called a time out at 24-24 but ended up losing 26-28.

In the fourth set, we seemed to be in control at 11-6 when a time out was called by Coach Wallace. Southwestern came roaring back and Coach Case took a time out at 12-11. It was quite the contest thereafter with the Spartans winning the fourth set 29-31. Now, the momentum had swung the other way.

How would Hauser react in the fifth and deciding set?

Southwestern pulled in front 4-7 forcing Coach Case to take a time out. Before long, it was 11-11. It was 14-13 when the Hauser setter chose to do a wise and unexpected dump as opposed to setting a hitter, and the ball hit the center of the court untouched giving Hauser the win 15-13. There was a well-deserved celebration by the Hauser players, coaches, and fans.

I have followed Hauser Volleyball for years and recall how difficult it was being on the other side time after time with Morristown often being the reason. My heart felt what the players, coaches, and players of Southwestern felt afterward. To Southwestern's credit, they could have given up after losing the first two sets, but they did not. They played with great determination and can be proud of the way they competed against an outstanding program.

Then, we faced Rising Sun to decide the winner of the sectional. Rising Sun defeated Waldron earlier in the day 27-25, 23-25, 25-20, and 25-19. As against Jac-Cen-Del, Hauser controlled the match and won 25-19, 25-10 and 25-18 and proudly held up the 2018 IHSAA Volleyball Sectional #60 Trophy.

We did not win our first sectional until 2008 and have been fortunate to win frequently since, now ten sectional titles. My first daughter, Bethany, was on the losing end three consecutive sectionals. I remember meeting her with tears flowing down her face afterward. It was a different story her senior year when the Lady Jets found a way to defeat Lawrenceburg in 2A in five sets with every set being extremely close. The match took three hours with the final point coming on a serve by Aleah Tedder that hit the net and somehow spun over. I suspect Coach Case still remembers that afternoon match and would also point out that it was a turning point for our program. Our younger daughter, Haley, then had the opportunity to play on teams that won four consecutive 1A sectionals.

Ironically, we travel to Morristown next Saturday to play a regional match at 10 a.m. If we win, then we will play that evening. When walking into the Yellow Jacket gym, you will see one volleyball banner after the other, much like at Hauser. It is a fitting place for a regional. I know the Hauser Nation (thanks Sam Simmermaker) will show up and support a team that is fun to watch.

Todd Grimes recently wrote an outstanding article for HSJ Online about the Hauser Volleyball Program and Coach Case. If you have not read it, then I would encourage you to do so.