Keller’s historic season ends during five setter against Brandeis in title game
Not sure where Keller was predicted to finish the season, but the Indians beat all the odds to reach the state championship game for the first time on Saturday night.
However, Keller’s magical run came up short in a five-set thriller against San Antonio Brandeis.
Keller couldn’t hold on to a 2-1 lead, falling to Brandeis, 29-27, 23-25, 25-16, 15-25, 12-15 in the Class 6A state title game at the Culwell Center.
Keller ends the season with a 32-13 mark.
“Tough match. They are really good especially in system. We made some good adjustments and overall it was a great battle on both sides,” Keller coach Lauren Rao said. “We took our foot off the gas in the fourth set. We had several errors at the wrong time. We gave the momentum on their side of the net and I think it hurt us in the beginning of the fifth set.”
The Indians had all the momentum after a dominant third set. Keller scored three straight to break a 14-14 tie and Jenna Clifford’s kill from the slide out pushed it to 19-15. Reagan Sharp went off the block from the left side as Keller led 21-16 and the Indians scored the next four to win and take a 2-1 lead in the match.
But Brandeis (46-2), which was also making the trip to state for the first time, came out on fire in the fourth with a 5-1 start. It was a game of runs as Keller pulled off five straight to take a 6-5 lead, but then the Broncos went ahead 9-6. A Lauren Bingham ace pulled Keller within 9-8 before Brandeis scored 4 of the next 5.
The lead grew to 20-13 and 22-14 before the Broncos closed it out and forced a fifth game.
The opening set was as good as any with the teams trading point for point. Keller broke off three set points from Brandeis. Melanie McGann slammed down a Taylor Polivka assist that tied it at 25-25. Brandeis went up again and Sharp tied it at 26. The Broncos led again, but they had an error and Leah Ford got the game-winning block to finish off a thrilling first set.
“We did a good job minimizing our errors. We served them really well and tough. We had a lot of aces, more than I would expect in a finals match,” Rao said.
Added McGann, “This group of girls has been amazing. We get so much constant support from our coaches, teammates, the fans...it’s been an amazing season. Even though we got second, that’s still really good.”
In her final high school game, the West Virginia bound McGann finished with a team-high 19 kills. Polivka starred once again at setter with 48 assists, finishing with 100 in two state games. Ford added 16 kills and four blocks and Sharp chipped in six. Landry McEachern led the back row with 20 digs while Kea Whillock added 18. Polivka and Bailey Cooper had 11 and 10 digs, respectively.
“So exciting. We didn’t think we’d come this far so I’m really proud of all the girls,” senior Sophia Odle said.
Added Rao, “The seniors, they are my group that came in as freshmen. I’ve had them all four years, my first graduating class. All my seniors are wonderful people first and that’s always my number one mission.”
TCU commits Jalyn Gibson (29 kills, 14 digs) and Carlee Pharris (49 assists, 12 digs, 7 blocks) led the Broncos. Gibson was voted state championship game MVP.
This story was originally published November 21, 2021 at 9:38 AM.
