Columbus East High School

The Columbus East Olympian boys volleyball team traveled to Sellersburg, Indiana, on Thursday night and delivered a gritty, back-and-forth performance against the Silver Creek Dragons. Despite falling just short in a five-set thriller — 22-25, 25-21, 23-25, 25-22, 13-15 — the Olympians showcased their determination and team chemistry from start to finish. “Time and time again I come back to being so proud of this team,” said Head Coach Kailey Smith. “Tonight we battled and never gave up, even when we were down. Point for point, set after set, we got after it tonight.” Offensive Highlights: Senior Alex Duncan was a force on the court, tallying 8 kills, 24 assists, and 5 aces, while also contributing 6 digs and 4 blocks — a true all-around performance. Tyler Ernst added 6 kills and chipped in defensively with 4 digs and a block. Alex Wenzler and Ian Scholl each posted 5 kills, with Scholl also recording a team-high 18 digs. Keaton Stephenson and Justin Lopez contributed 3 kills apiece, and Lopez added 4 key blocks at the net. Defensive Standouts: Libero Trevor Ernst anchored the back row with 14 digs, while the Coers brothers — Reid and Kash — combined for two service aces and solid defensive coverage. Jon Ruch and Reid Coers each added a dig to round out the backcourt effort. The Olympians now return home for their final four matches of the season, all taking place in the Orange Pit. The homestand kicks off tonight — Friday, May 2 — with a high-stakes rivalry match against Columbus North. First serve is set for 7 p.m.