Cowan tops Trinity Lutheran in five sets for second state title (2012)
The only match-up of No. 1 vs. No. 2 teams of the weekend lived up to its billing as second-ranked Cowan claimed a 3-2 (30-28, 25-19, 21-25, 23-25, 15-5) victory over top-ranked Trinity Lutheran in the Class 1-A state championship match.
The victory for first-year coach Melissa-Paul Gardner’s squad gives the school its second state title after the Blackhawks took home the 1-A title in 2012.
Cowan (30-4) pulled out a marathon first set, that featured 17 ties, then dominated set two.
Lutheran, however, refused to fold and came back for wins in sets three and four – the fourth set featured 10 ties before a Ruthie Bingham ace on set point sent the match into a decisive set.
In that fifth set, Cowan’s Grace Conway had six of her match-high 24 points as the Blackhawks hit .300 in the set.
Cowan’s Martina Demarchi added 20 kills, as well as a match-best 10 aces.
The Cougars of coach Faith Wilder-Newland were led by Kennedy Hoffmand and Hannah Sabotin with 12 kills each. The Cougars finish the season at 30-6.
Trinity Lutheran’s Hannah Sabotin earns Mental Attitude Award
At the conclusion of the state finals, the IHSAA Executive Committee, on behalf of Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, named Hannah Sabotin of Trinity Lutheran High School as the winner of the Class A Mental Attitude Award.
Hannah Sabotin is the first Mental Attitude recipient for Trinity Lutheran. Sabotin is involved with the National Honor Society, Student Ambassadors, Events Team, Lutherans of Life, Culture Club, and Riley Dance Marathon Committee. She has demonstrated her willingness to help others through volunteering with Love Chapel, Pregnancy Care Center, and at a nursing home. Hannah is a 3-time AAU All-American, 2-time 1st Team All-State, 2018 Jr. All-State, and Academic All-State winner. Sabotin is also a member of the girls’ basketball and track team.
Hannah is the daughter of Doug and Janice Sabotin. She plans to attend the University of Indianapolis and play volleyball. At this time her area of study is undecided.
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 A Volleyball, will donate $1,000 to Trinity Lutheran’s general scholarship fund in the name of Hannah Sabotin.