IHSAA girls volleyball sectionals recap for Southwestern Indiana

No. 17 North won its first sectional title in program history this week.

This sectional was always going to come down to the semifinal match – North taking on Castle.

The Knights have been an obstacle for North in recent seasons. The Huskies’ last two seasons ended in sectional championship losses to their SIAC rival.

Unlike 2024 and 2025, North won the regular season matchup (3-1 on September 29). And even though the rematch would come just two weeks later, the postseason is where the unexpected can happen.

Still, the Huskies emerged victorious on Castle’s home court. Another 3-1 win where Madeline Freels had 19 kills, Anna McCandless had 25 digs and Cameron Frome had 23 assists.

This group had the confidence.

“We knew we could beat them again,” North coach Andy Lasher said. “(Castle) is always a tough competitor and is a different team when it comes to sectionals; they always play harder. It was really good for the girls to come through and beat them.”

Madeline and Annabelle Freels, the Freels twins, have been apart of this journey to October 17 since the 2024 season. The juniors remembered those losses to Castle as freshmen and sophomores.

It meant a lot to them to overcome that final obstacle, and the team showed it with their emotional reaction to the match point on October 15.

“It’s never really been done before in North history,” Annabelle said. “Being able to beat them not only in five, but in four sets and almost three sets, it’s like ‘We can do this, we’re a great team and there’s a lot in store for us.’”

October 17 was a straightforward match for the Huskies. It finished 3-0 and the score told the story – complete control.

Madeline expressed her appreciation for how her group responded to the expectations that were put on North this year.

“We knew the pressure was going to be on us this season,” Madeline said. “The whole team wanted it. Nobody really gave up, everyone gave 110% effort the whole time.”

Now it is on to regionals where North will meet No. 11 Floyd Central at Mitchell. An unfamiliar experience for North, but one Lasher will have his group prepared for.

“We’ll watch some film and try and prepare for their big hitters,” Lasher said.

3A Sectional 31 at Jasper

No. 5 Jasper won a third-straight sectional on October 17.

The Wildcats started their run with a straight-sets win over Heritage Hills on October 13. Then, they shared the benefit of resting until the weekend with Washington.

Like many others around the state, Jasper was tasked with winning two matches in two days on October 17. That began with its 3-0 semifinals win over the Hatchets.

In the championship match, the theme continued against a tough opponent in No. 11 Barr-Reeve. Still, the Wildcats secured the title with a win over the Vikings in straight sets.

Jasper now sets its sights on No. 1 Providence. The match will be played at Charlestown.

Certainly the toughest opponent yet this postseason, but nothing unfamiliar. The Wildcats met Providence on September 5 in the Early Bird Tournament Invitational.

Times like this show why Jasper schedules these high-level opportunities for its group.

3A Sectional 32 at Mount Vernon

No. 24 Mater Dei won its first sectional since 2018 on October 17.

The Wildcats earned a first-round bye and met Mount Vernon in the semifinal match.

Mater Dei won it in four sets to clinch a championship spot. The opponent was another SIAC team in Memorial – No. 4 vs 5 in the conference.

Mater Dei won the regular-season matchup 3-1, and in the title match, it finished in straight sets.

Wildcats coach Amy Nussmeier was optimistic after her team’s loss to Jasper on September 22. Since then, Mater Dei has won eight of its last 10 matches.

Next up is No. 17 Batesville in the regional championship at Bloomington North.

2A Sectional 48 at Perry Central

No. 11 North Posey won its fourth sectional title in the past six seasons on October 17. But the Vikings did not have it easy.

After earning a first-round bye, North Posey was tasked with overcoming No. 6 Perry Central. Not an easy matchup against the sectional favorite, but the Vikings made it happen in five sets.

The fifth set finished 15-13. After riding the high of that result, North Posey still had to get past Forest Park. While the result in the regular season was a straight-sets win, the night of October 17 was not nearly as straightforward.

Once again, the Vikings were pushed to five sets. Still, the group emerged victorious in a 17-15 fifth set. Competing in 10 sets in one day is an achievement in it of itself.

North Posey will now meet Sectional 47 winner Sullivan at Loogootee in the regional championship.

1A Sectional 64 at Northeast Dubois

Evansville Christian wins the match in straight sets.

Eagles now 19-2 and earn their ninth-straight victory. pic.twitter.com/Y8i9QMmClu

— Markos Tsegaye (@10_Markos_) September 16, 2026

No. 4 Evansville Christian won its first sectional title in program history on October 17.

The Eagles were dealt a tough draw with No. 3 Tecumseh as their sectional quarterfinal opponent. The two conference favorites meeting in the opening round was the most intriguing matchup of the SW Indiana brackets.

And on October 15, the match delivered.

It was a five-set thriller between two heavyweights. In the end, Evansville Christian finished the fifth set with a 15-9 win.

What followed was a 3-0 win over sectional hosts Northeast Dubois and a 3-1 win over Springs Valley.

The Eagles will meet another Christian school in the regional championship – No. 9 Christian Academy. The match will take place at Mitchell.

Markos Tsegaye is a sports reporter for the Courier & Press. He can be reached at mtsegaye@usatodayco.com. Follow him on X @10_Markos_.

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: IHSAA girls volleyball sectionals recap for Southwestern Indiana