Columbus East High School

FRANKLIN HS — When the post-season brackets were released, the Columbus East Olympians knew exactly what stood between them and a deep run in the IHSAA Sectional 14: a rematch with a formidable Greenwood Woodmen squad. On Thursday night at Franklin Community High School, the Olympians proved that regular-season records are just numbers, turning a daunting opening-round matchup into a five-set marathon that kept the crowd on the edge of their seats. A Story of Redemption The narrative heading into Thursday was fueled by a memory from April 27th. In their previous encounter, the Olympians struggled to find their rhythm, falling to the Woodmen in a quick three-set sweep marked by slow starts and inconsistent play. However, as the whistle blew in Franklin, it was immediately clear that this was not the same Columbus East team. The Olympians set the tone early, silencing the skeptics by clinching the opening set 25-19. Unlike their previous meeting where they played from behind, East dictated the pace, showcasing a renewed sense of communication and a defensive grit that forced Greenwood into uncharacteristic errors. The Five-Set Seesaw Volleyball is often a game of momentum, and the middle frames tested the Olympians' resolve. Greenwood surged back to take the second and third sets (25-13, 25-11), utilizing their height at the net to regain control. While many teams might have folded under that pressure, Columbus East dug deep. The fourth set became a showcase of Olympian determination. Refusing to let their season end without a fight, East reclaimed their early-match form. They scrambled for every loose ball and executed precise attacks to secure another 25-19 victory, forcing a winner-take-all fifth set. | Set | Columbus East | Greenwood | 1 25 19 2 13 25 3 11 25 4 25 19 5 9 15 Leaving It All on the Floor In the condensed fifth set, every point carried the weight of the season. The Olympians traded blows with the Woodmen early on, but Greenwood managed a late scoring run to seal the match with a 15-9 finish. While the 3-2 loss marks the end of the 2026 campaign, the performance stood as a testament to the team’s growth. The Olympians transformed a one-sided rivalry into a high-stakes battle, showing the kind of resilience and competitive spirit that defines the program. They walked off the Franklin floor having proved that while the scoreboard may have favored the Woodmen, the fight belonged to Columbus East. Thank you Seniors for your effort this season and helping the Olympians establish a foothold in this newly sanctioned IHSAA sport.