Columbus East High School

East Boys Volleyball Shines at Fishers March Madness Tournament: A Day of Growth, Teamwork, and Exciting Wins! The Columbus East Boys Volleyball team had an action-packed Saturday at the Fishers March Madness tournament, finishing the day with a 2-2 record. Head coach Kailey Smith expressed pride in her team's performance, emphasizing the growth and teamwork on display throughout the day. The team not only competed hard but also showed resilience and determination against tough competition. A Rocky Start, But A Strong Finish The day began with a challenging match against Hamilton Southeastern, where the Olympians fell short with scores of 17-25 and 20-25. However, the team showed great fight and competitive spirit throughout both sets, keeping their heads high for the next match. In their second pool play game, the boys bounced back in a big way against Fort Wayne Southside, claiming their first win of the season with a 25-23 and 25-16 victory. This momentum carried them into the crossover round, where they faced Lafayette from Lexington, KY. The Olympians continued to roll, securing another win with scores of 25-21 and 25-22. The final match of the day pitted Columbus East against Fort Wayne Snider. Despite a strong effort, the Olympians fell just short in two tight sets, 23-25 and 18-25. However, coach Smith emphasized how much the team grew from the experience and how valuable these challenges are for their development. Teamwork Shines Through Coach Smith was especially proud of the camaraderie and teamwork displayed on the court. While the stats tell part of the story, they don’t capture the true essence of what made the day special. Every player who stepped onto the court contributed in some way, whether through skill, leadership, or support for their teammates. Here are some key individual stats from the day: Alex Duncan: 50 assists, 19 kills, 4 aces Tyler Ernst: 11 kills, 3 aces Ian Scholl: 12 kills, 6 blocks, 10 digs Justin Lopez: 10 kills Alex Wenzler: 8 kills, 4 blocks Trevor Ernst: 17 digs While these numbers are impressive, it's the teamwork that truly made the difference. Each player stepped up to make the team better, showing how much they’ve grown this season. Looking Ahead As the season continues, Columbus East is gearing up for another busy week of competition. The boys will travel to Floyd Central on April 1, play at home against Perry Meridian on April 3, and head to Monrovia for another tournament on April 5. With the progress made this weekend and the drive to improve, the Olympians are excited for what’s next. Coach Smith couldn’t have summed it up better: "We showed up, we got better, and that’s what it’s all about." The Columbus East Boys Volleyball team is ready to take on the challenges ahead, one game at a time.