Duck Ponderings: Hauser Jets win volleyball sectional

The Hauser Lady Jets won the 2019 IHSAA Sectional 60 1A Volleyball Tournament at Edinburgh.

Hauser was the favorite going into the tournament due to beating all the other teams during the season. Still, Coach Case and all coaches know, there are tournament upsets. As I have heard Coach Case state over the years, “You must show up and play your game.”

We first had to get by Waldron and Southwestern, with each of those two teams being quite competitive. We defeated Waldron 25-16, 21-25, 25-17 and 25-13 and then Southwestern 25-22, 25-14, and 25-22. In the final match, we played against Morristown who defeated Greenwood Christian 25-18, 17-25, 25-13, 15-25, 16-14 and Edinburgh 25-13, 25-18, 25-11.

It is so exciting to be the winning team in a 5 set match like Morristown and so disappointing to be the losing team as Greenwood Christian. I know. When our daughter, Bethany, played for Hauser, I can remember some 5 set matches in sectional play, several against Morristown in 1A and one against Lawrenceburg in 2A. Morristown always seemed to find a way to pull the match out. However, we found a way to defeat Lawrenceburg in a marathon match that every person there will always remember with each set determined by a few points (28-26, 23-25, 27-29, 25-22, 17-15). Aleah Tedder Smith's serve hit the net and rolled over untouched on the final point enabling Hauser to win their first sectional in 2008.

What would happen against Morristown in the final match? Within the program, Hauser was listed as winning 10 sectionals and Morristown 12. Hauser prevailed 25-14, 25-22, and 25-19. Both teams displayed scrappy defense and spirit. Hauser was always up in the first set even with several aggressive serving errors while Morristown had small early leads in the second and third sets. Hauser had a key defensive play in the second set which could have been a turning point of that set because it was tight throughout.

It has been a great honor to watch Hauser volleyball for years. I have had the opportunity to help out several times, even before Coach Case and class volleyball. I can remember some Hauser teams that would have likely won sectional championships if class volleyball had of been around. (I am personally very supportive of different classes in all high school sports for several reasons.)

I also have had the great privilege of helping Coach Case at times. The program is excellent! If asked to sum up Hauser volleyball in one word, it would be “commitment.” Coach Case will tell you that coaches, players, student managers, parents, fans, cheer blocks, bus drivers, and athletic directors have demonstrated much commitment. It would be interesting to try to count the number of hours Jeff Case has spent in the gym to help young ladies develop the skills required for such a wonderful team sport.

So, on Saturday, October 26th, we travel to the Morristown Regional where you will immediately sense the excitement. And, you will notice all the volleyball banners won by the Yellow Jacket that compare to the number of Jet banners. Bloomfield, ranked # 8, plays Indy Lutheran, # 21 at 10:00 a.m. while Hauser, #12, plays International, # 50, at 12:00 p.m. The final match will start at 7:00 p.m. (A special thanks is extended to Coach Case for providing rankings by MaxPreps.)

I can not predict what will happen, but I do know that losing will not be due to a lack of commitment on the part of anyone. I also know that the lessons learned through the Hauser Volleyball Program will last forever no matter what. Coach Case recognizes that a sport like volleyball is just one important aspect of life mixed in with many other aspects, that life if not just about a sport.