Eastern High School

The Lady Musketeers volleyball team's historic season ended Saturday at Bedford North Lawrence in the 2A semi-state semifinal as they fell to the Triton Central Tigers in 4 sets. The Lady M's raced out to a lead in set one and had things clicking behind Sidney Burton's serving and Avery Smith's early kills, but bad luck reared its' ugly head on the Lady M's as Sophomore Outside Hitter, Ashton Johanningsmeier fell to a severe ankle injury with the Lady M's up 7-4. This injury proved to be significant as Ashton would not return to the game and the Lady M's missed her prowess at the net and on the service line. Still, the Lady M's fought hard and secured a set one victory behind Avery Smith's 9 kills. In Set two, the Lady Musketeers competed fiercely as it was neck and neck to 10 pts, but a tough stretch gave the Tigers an advantage 16-10 before the Lady M's came roaring back only to succumb 25-19. The Lady Tigers prevailed in set three, 25-16 and in set four, 25-20 as the Lady M's lost momentum and struggled to adapt at times to a new rotation, but they went down fighting and competing and have nothing to hang their heads about. Sophomore and first year player, Sophia Gibson and freshman Elsie Starrett both played admirably in their first significant post season action in place of Johanningsmeier, but the loss of the Ashton significantly disrupted the rotation of the Lady M's that had been clicking over a 14 game winning streak. The Lady Musketeers were lead by senior Avery Smith's 22 kills, 13 digs, 2 Aces and 1 Block. Senior Sidney Burton had 10 kills, 13 digs and 3 aces herself. Senior setter, Addison Smith had 26 assists, a team high 15 digs, a career high 5 blocks, and 5 kills. Senior Libero, Eliza Starrett finished with 13 digs and 1 ace. This marked the first time that the Lady Musketeers have ever played volleyball in November after winning the school's first regional in the sport. It was just Eastern High School's 4th ever Semi-State appearance joining the 2001 Final Four baseball team, the 2017 State Championship girls basketball team and the 2022 Elite 8 Softball team. The Lady Musketeers 30 wins is a school record as the team won the Southern Athletic Conference championship, repeated as Sectional Champions and won a Regional title as well, while being ranked in the top 10 pretty much all season and making it to the Elite 8 for the first time. The program says good bye to seniors Sidney Burton, Adriana Dolleris, Addison Smith, Avery Smith, Eliza Starrett and manager Addy Terrell. Burton, Avery Smith and Starrett were All SAC while Addison Smith was Conference Player of the Year. Coach Bre Lane was SAC coach of the year. All 5 seniors were Gold Level Academic All State. The primary rotation will return current juniors Middle Blocker, Emma Brawner and Right Side Hitter, Leah Hobson and current sophomore Outside Hitter, Ashton Johanningsmeier and Defensive Specialist, Allie Johanningsmeier. Freshman Elsie Starrett, Sophomores Aubrey Mollett, Sophia Gibson and Lilly Gonzalez all saw some Varsity action this year at various points.