MaxPreps Indiana Team of the Week: Carmel volleyball

For two seasons, the Carmel girls volleyball team has been knocking at the door of a state 4A championship.

So what was the difference this season following a 23-25, 25-18, 25-22, 25-18 win over top seed Indianapolis Cathedral at Ball State to take the 2014 state crown?

"Unwavering confidence and selflessness," Carmel coach Rich Coleman said. "We've faced some adverse situations throughout the tournament and the confidence that the team had in themselves and each other, combined with everyone playing for each other allowed them to push through this year.

"The girls worked extra hard by watching film, staying after practice to do extra work, and they were really focused on what our keys were to be successful."

For their championship and extra hard work, the Greyhounds (32-7) have been selected as the MaxPreps Indiana Team of the Week, presented by the Indiana Army National Guard.

What made this title extra sweet is that Carmel had been the state runner-up the last two seasons to Avon. Sweeter still was that Cathedral had won six previous titles, the last coming in 2008.

Carly Skjodt led the way with 22 kills.

"She's the real deal," Cathedral coach Jean Kesterson told the Indianapolis Star of Skjodt. "She's a great player. There's a reason why she's a first team All-American."

Coleman has said on more than one occasion that Skjodt is the best player in the state.

"She proved it tonight," he told the Star. "She does everything well. She's a great leader and a great person."

Skjodt entered the championship match with 562 kills, which ranked seventh in the state. She also had 453 digs.

"She is such a tremendous competitor — her drive and focus to help her team in every way possible is second to none," Coleman said. "What many people don't know is how much film she watches or how hard she pushes herself in the weight room and practice gym to provide her an advantage during competition. She can do everything on the floor offensively and defensively and is such a true leader."

But of course, volleyball teams are made of many components. And the Greyhounds had multiple standouts.

The offense was stout. Other top hitters were Carly Cason (211 kills) and Madeline Armstrong (211), freshman McKenzie Kiesle (191) and Lauren Gold (174).

Carmel entered with a gaudy 264 serving aces led by Hannah Costlow with 42. Six others had at least 24.

Jamie Scherb led the team with 582 digs, followed by Skjodt, Armstrong (256) and Morgan Seaman (239).

Setter Seaman, a sophomore, had a remarkable 1,103 assists, which ranked fifth in the state.

Before the state tournament, Carmel lost its last regular-season match to Elkhart Memorial 25-21, 18-25, 15-11. The loss didn't necessarily wake the Greyhounds up, but it might have toughened them up.

"The tournament provided enough motivation for the team," Coleman said. "However, playing Elkhart Memorial just before the tournament prepared us well for the difficult path we had to the state finals, as they were such a physical, determined team, similar to those we saw throughout the tournament." Staff writer Colin Ward-Henninger contributed to this report.