Back on top: Springfield High tops SHG to win ninth City volleyball title
Senior middle hitter Araya Garrison unleashed the final kill and Springfield High captured its first City volleyball title since 2014 with a 25-23, 25-13 victory over Sacred Heart-Griffin at Willard Duey Gymnasium on Thursday.
Garrison particularly flourished on defense with seven blocks while junior teammate Lila Ambrose added four as students stormed the floor celebrating the school’s ninth City title overall.
Junior outside hitter Ruth Becker totaled 13 kills and 11 digs, both team-highs.
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The Senators (13-6, 6-1 Central State Eight Conference) trailed 19-16 toward the end of the first set until outscoring the Cyclones (9-10, 5-2 CS8) 8-3 down the stretch for a 24-22 advantage.
Becker sparked the comeback with back-to-back kills with assists from sophomore setter Madison Clark, who finished with eight assists. Senior right-side hitter/setter Megan Becker led SHS with 13 assists.
The Senators rolled to a 16-5 lead in the second set. Junior Eva Harmann added four kills while senior Claire Grossen had seven digs.
SHG sophomore Macie Rolf led the Cyclones with seven kills, five digs and an ace. Another sophomore, Ava Hillyer, led SHG with 16 assists. She also had four digs, two aces and a block.
In 44 years, Sacred Heart has won 35 titles. Lanphier and Southeast have never won the tournament.
More:Here are the Springfield area's high school volleyball players to know for the 2022 season
Springfield City Volleyball Tournament champs
1978-87 — Sacred Heart
1988-98 — Sacred Heart-Griffin
1999-00 — Springfield High
2001-08 — Sacred Heart-Griffin
2009-14 — Springfield High
2015-19 — Sacred Heart-Griffin
2020 — tournament not held, COVID-19
2021 — Sacred Heart-Griffin
2022 — Springfield High
Title breakdown
Sacred Heart/Sacred Heart-Griffin 35
Springfield High 9
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Springfield City Volleyball: Springfield High beats SHG for 9th title
