Providence Pioneers State Champs November 2022 | Page 8

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Going on the road for games doesn ’ t deter the focused Pioneers . They follow a regimented routine . “ It makes it more real and kind of puts us in a zone ,” Grace responded . “ It makes us want to go on . The bus rides can be our favorite part .” The nice thing about playing in Corydon is location . It was close enough for fans to venture out with their support .
Now the journey really does head north . Preparation and a mapped-out plan make the road smoother . “ We spend a lot of time watching films of games ,” commented Taylor . “ We are more than prepared for our next matches .”
Columbus East is the destination , and the
Western Boone Stars are the Semi-State combatant . The Stars entered the match at 26-6 and impressive stats . The Pioneers captured the first two sets , 25-20 and 25-16 before the Stars stormed back in the third set 12-25 . Control of the fourth set went back and forth across the net as often as the ball . Western Boone finally prevailed 23-25 , forcing a determining fifth set .
Even though it was a fifth set , the Pioneers looked determined and confident . “ When games are on the line , confidence comes from trusting your training and trusting the people on your team . We played to win in the fifth set ,” explained Grace . Win they
did , defeating the Stars 15-7 and punching their ticket to the championship game .
The State Championship game was held in Worthen Arena on the campus of Ball State University in Muncie . Providence would be pitted against the Bellmont Braves , a school from Decatur . The Braves were ranked second in Indiana Class 3A volleyball , placing them 10th in the state overall . Their 30-6 record coming into the game more than backed up their swagger .
The Pioneers entered into the match not afraid to take chances and risks . They did not shy away from making the big plays . They took control of the match and their destiny with wins in the first two sets

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8 PROVIDENCE PIONEERS | VOLLEYBALL | IHSAA CLASS 3A STATE CHAMPS 2022 NEWS AND TRIBUNE