‘It all seems so magical’: Roncalli volleyball team wins state in perfect way

Classmates, friends, family and fans of the girls’ volleyball team of Roncalli High School in Indianapolis join in the celebration with the members of the team shortly after it won Indiana’s Class 3A state championship on Nov. 9. (Submitted photo)

By John Shaughnessy

The day would end with pure joy and perfection as the girls’ volleyball team of Roncalli High School in Indianapolis won Indiana’s Class 3A state championship on Nov. 9, completing its season with an unblemished 35-0 record.

“I told them their team will go down in history,” says Christina Erazmus, the team’s head coach. “They did something that no other volleyball team at Roncalli has ever done.”

The day would also confirm the team’s dominance, as its 3-0 victory over the team from Angola High School added to its astonishing total of winning 97 sets and losing just five sets during its season-long march to being crowned state champs at Worthen Arena in Muncie, Ind.

“Our ultimate goal was to win state because we had lost last year in the semi-state. That was on our mind the whole time,” Erazmus says. “As we continued to grow as a team and really have perfection and dominance, it was like, ‘Wow! We really do have something special here.’ ”

At the same time, the events leading up to the championship match on that day reveal even more about the heart and the spirit of the team—as well as the heart and the spirit of the Roncalli community that embraced, supported and cheered for its latest champions.

The day began at the school with the girls watching a video of messages from family, friends and other supporters, leading to an outpouring of tears.

Then as the team headed to its bus for the ride to Muncie, a huge contingent of the “Roncalli family” lined the street outside the school, cheering, clapping and shouting for the girls.

And after they arrived at Worthen Arena, Erazmus did something that has to be rare for a head coach leading a team into a state championship. She took them to a tailgate overflowing with Roncalli fans.

“They got to say hi to their family and friends before they went out to play, which I thought was really cool because we had a really large crowd there—one of the biggest tailgates I’ve ever seen,” the head coach says. “There was a DJ, I got to say a few things, and we got to shout, ‘Our time!’—which was our motto all season.

“Some people say you really just have to stay locked in, but I think it was really good for them. I think it helped them to see their friends and hug their parents one more time before they played. We let the girls go out there for about 30 minutes to get a little food in their stomachs and have everyone wish them well. I think it took a little pressure off them. Then we went back in the locker room, they did their little rituals and got back into their zone.”

Before they took the court, Erazmus had one last message for the team that was led by its four seniors: Logan Bell, Eva Hurrle, Mac Kruer and Josie Lezon.

“I just talked to them about how we’ve worked so hard for this. Last season, we lost in semi-state. We knew the feeling of loss, and we were so hungry for more. I told them, ‘This is the last time we will play together as the same team. Do it for the little girl who fell in love with volleyball. Do it for all the little girls out there who are watching you. Do it for your family, do it for your friends, and let’s do it for our team.’ ”

Once on the court, the Roncalli girls captured their dream of a state championship, beating Angola 25-16, 25-18 and 25-21. The celebration erupted among the Roncalli fans and the players on the court, tears flowing, teammates and coaches hugging and screaming in joy.

Erazmus also shared the joyous moment with her husband Chris, their children, her parents, her siblings, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews.

As Erazmus is a 2001 graduate of Roncalli who played on the school’s volleyball team, the celebration and the championship meant everything to her.

“It was just so special being able to go around and hug each of my players, just embracing them and thanking them for their commitment to our program,” she says. “Roncalli is just such a wonderful community. I love this community, and it means so much to me that I was able to help guide the girls on this team to a state championship.”

One of her favorite memories of the season occurred in the Roncalli gym when the team played the team from Hamilton Southeastern High School, which was ranked first in Indiana’s Class 4A at the time—and was ranked nationally ahead of Roncalli.

“We had more than 2,000 people in our stands that night, which was incredible,” she says. “We beat them in three, which was just a stellar performance. That’s when we really realized we can beat anyone.”

She also notes how special the girls on this championship team are.

“They come from great families, so they’re easy to coach and they’re easy to love. They’ve also been given God-given talents. Some of them are just elite players. Next is their dedication. So many of these girls have dedicated their time and their efforts to being good volleyball players. And then the last thing is they’re also so fun and loving.

“I’ve said so many times to my assistant coach that all these girls like each other. There are no cliques, no special groups. They all would sit by anyone at dinner. It was really cool to see how they all really genuinely love each other.”

One image of the team has stayed front and center in Erazmus’ thoughts since the state championship victory.

“It really hit me when I was watching each girl get a medal and go up on stage,” she recalls. “I was getting so teary-eyed. I was just so proud of them. I had always hoped that one day I would be there with my team. And it was actually happening to us.

“When I think back on this whole season, it all seems so magical.” †