Resurrection advances to state title match with three set win

By: Luke Drase

Resurrection’s three set win over St. Viator was one for the record books.

The Bandits 30-32, 25-23, 25-18 win was a new IHSA class 3A record for most points scored scored by both teams in a match with 153, surpassing the previous record by five points.

Unlike previous matches on the day, both teams came out of the gates swinging away, producing both big kills, and some hitting errors.

After an opening sequence that saw both teams tied up at 5, St. Viator got the first break in the match as they went on a run to go up by five points at 12-7.

St. Viator looked as though they were in control of the set up 19-13, but Resurrection started to chip away at the lead.

Despite their best efforts, the Bandits still found themselves facing three set points, down 24-21.

After a side out, Resurrection still had to serve to stay in the match. Setter Christina Gatta stepped up to the line and delivered three powerful jump serves to give Resurrection their own set point at 25-24.

The teams would battle back and forth, fighting off set point after set point until St. Viator finally prevailed with a Madison McEnaney ace giving them the 32-30 set win.

Building on the momentum from a big set one win, St. Viator continued to execute on the offensive side of the ball, taking a 12-9 lead.

Instead of hanging their heads, Resurrection fought back with an incredible effort from their back row.

The Bandits would eventually take a 15-14 lead and not look back, never allowing St. Viator to retake the lead, and eventually closing out the set 25-23.

In the third and decisive set, Resurrection continued their outstanding defensive play, frustrating the St. Viator attack.

St. Viator amassed numerous attacking errors, which allowed Resurrection to jump out to a seemingly insurmountable six point lead at 15-9.

Resurrection never took their foot off the gas, and St. Viator never developed an offensive rhythm, giving the Bandits the 25-18 set three win.

As a team, Resurrection compiled an incredible 80 digs. Brittany Welch and Caitlin Coughlin both had double digit kills with 18 and 10 respectively, and Christina Gatta dished out 39 assists.

Resurrection will go on to play in their first ever state title match, facing 40-1 Althoff Catholic out of Bellville.