North Judson-San Pierre Sweeps to First State Title in any Sport
In the school’s first ever appearance in the state finals, North Judson-San Pierre made it count with a 3-0 (25-23, 27-25, 25-21) victory over Christian Academy of Indiana in the Class 2A championship match.
North Judson senior Lauren Cox overcame a bloody nose (as a result of a dive on the floor) to record 21 kills and 19 digs, while teammate Macy Reimbold added 17 kills and 13 digs to lead the way.
The match turned in set two as CAI, making its fifth-straight appearance in a state final match, held leads of 15-9 and 17-12, only to see the Bluejays rally for a 17-17 tie. The teams traded points until North Judson (27-7) finally took the lead at 26-25 and claimed set point when a Warriors return sailed long.
In set three, CAI had a lead as late at 18-16, but North Judson rallied again and took the lead for good on Reimbold’s serve at 19-18. The Bluejays, of first year coach Madison Fingerhut, wrapped up the match with the final two points on Cox’s serve.
Coach Wes Briscoe’s Warriors (20-10) got 12 kills from Lexi Lester and 21 digs from Kenzie Carter. The Warriors won the title in 2015 and have finished as runner-up the other four appearances.
North Judson-San Pierre’s Lauren Cox named Mental Attitude Award winnerÂ
At the conclusion of the state finals, the IHSAA Executive Committee, on behalf of Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, named Lauren Cox of North Judson-San Pierre High School as the winner of the Class 2A Mental Attitude Award.
She becomes the first female student-athlete from North Judson to receive an IHSAA Mental Attitude Award and the first Bluejay since Matt Vessely won for Class A football in 1986.
Lauren ranks third in her senior class academically and is an active member of North Judson’s Student Council and National Honor Society. She is a member of HIVE, a women’s giving circle in Starke County. She also volunteers her time at the Kids Closet in Starke County and at numerous youth athletic camps for future North Judson students. She was Hoosier North Conference Player of the Year in 2017 and 2018, as well as an Academic All State in 2018. Lauren is also a member of North Judson’s basketball team where she was Hoosier North All-Conference last season.
Lauren is the daughter of Kevin and Andrea Cox of North Judson and she plans to attend Ferris State University to play volleyball following graduation.
Each year the IHSAA Executive Committee selects a senior player who was nominated by her principal and coach and was determined to have best demonstrated mental attitude, scholarship, leadership and athletic ability. Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, presenting sponsor of the IHSAA Mental Attitude Award in Class 2A Volleyball, will donate $1,000 to North Judson’s general scholarship fund in the name of Lauren Cox.