HS Volleyball: Independence wins first regional title since 2018

The Patriots return to the State Volleyball Tournament for the first time since 2019

photo courtesy of Stacy Pack-Miller

It is often said when two teams battle to the wire that it is a shame one team had to lose.

That was definitely the case Wednesday night in Coal City when Independence battled Wyoming East for the Class AA Region 3 volleyball title.

Needing to win two matches on the night and trailing 2-1 in the final match, the Patriots rallied for a wild 3-2 win over the Warriors in front of a raucous crowd.

Wyoming East held the advantage coming into the championship round after beating Independence in straight sets last Thursday in the double elimination tournament.

In the opening set, the Warriors roared out of the gate to take a 6-1 lead.

The home team had no intentions of folding up the tent.

Independence roared back to take a 14-9 lead, but East held its ground to regain the advantage late in the set, 23-20.

Desperately not wanting to drop the opener, the Patriots fired back to tie the set at 24-apiece

A crucial block from Gracie Perry put Indy back in front leading to a 28-26 win.

The remaining two sets of the opening match were all Patriots who earned a 25-16 and 25-11 win to set up a winner-take-all match for a trip to Charleston.

Senior Kamryn Wooten talked about the Patriots' win.

Set one of the final match mimicked the opening set of the night, but this time it went to the Warriors, 25-23.

Wyoming East, however, could not keep the momentum going in set two.

With the set tied 16-16, Independence closed the door with a 9-0 run, anchored by two kills from senior Kamryn Wooten and one from Maci Perry.

Set three was another back-and-forth grinder that featured seven ties down the stretch.

Two straight aces from Karlee Lusk gave Wyoming East a 26-24 win and the upper hand in the match.

Again, the Patriots came out swinging to earn a dominate victory, 25-18, to set up a race to 15 points for a regional championship.

Carlee Rollins put East on the board first, but when Chloe Cunningham dropped a winner shortly after, the Patriots led 5-2 and never looked back.

Makensie Denny's blast gave Independence a 15-8 win, sending the Patriots back to the State Volleyball Tournament for the first time since 2019.

The last time Independence was a the regional champion was 2018.

Times and seeding for the state tournament were not available Wednesday night.

Independence coach Ashley Justice talked about the win and some old-school fire and discipline for the Patriots.