On Wednesday, Dec. 21, a small farming community in Yorktown, Indiana had the opportunity to witness their local high school girls volleyball team receive national recognition on the 12th Annual MaxPreps Tour of Champions presented by the Army National Guard, which is in its seventh year honoring the top girls volleyball teams in the country.
The
Yorktown (Ind.) Lady Tigers put together an unforgettable season in which they reeled off 27 consecutive victories after a loss to Hamilton Southeastern, culminating with a 3-1 win over Providence on Nov. 5th to capture the Indiana AAA state championship. It was the school's first state title since the 2011 season and the Tigers third overall. Yorktown is one of only 10 girls volleyball schools being honored on this year's Tour of Champions.
Not only are the Lady Tigers state champions, but they are also highly ranked nationally by MaxPreps. Out of more than 13,000 girls volleyball programs, Yorktown ranked No. 11 in the country.
Photo By Precision Sports Entertainment
When asked how it felt to finish the year with a such a high national ranking, nine-year head coach Stephanie Bloom said, "It's such an honor and it's great for the community, the program and the kids to see how much they have put in is now being honored in a way such as this."
Before the team was honored, Specialist RI Jones of the Indiana Army National Guard set up a table display outside the gym doors during the girls JV and varsity basketball games. The display featured the Army National Guard national ranking trophy that would be presented to Coach Bloom and the Lady Tigers during halftime of the varsity basketball game. Many students, parents and fans that attended the games stopped to take pictures of the prestigious trophy.
As halftime of the varsity game was approaching, Coach Bloom and the team took formal photos with the trophy, and received their Tour of Champions commemorative shirts from SPC Jones.
After an already excitement-filled first half of Yorktown girls basketball, the moment had come to recognize the Lady Tigers team in front of the fans and community. The roar of the crowd grew when they learned that their girls volleyball team had finished the year ranked No. 11 in the country by MaxPreps. The cheers lead to a standing ovation, as everyone in the gym acknowledged what a remarkable season the Lady Tigers had.
Next, SPC Jones congratulated the team on their accomplishment and shared many similarities between a soldier of the National Guard and a championship team, including loyalty, dedication and hard work. To conclude the ceremony, SPC Jones presented Coach Bloom and the team with the Army National Guard national ranking trophy. After accepting the trophy, Coach Bloom introduced the team and thanked the Yorktown community for their continued support.
MaxPreps and the Army National Guard congratulate Coach Bloom and the Yorktown Lady Tigers on a great season, a state championship and a high national ranking!
Click
here to view the Yorktown TOC photo gallery and for more information about the Volleyball TOC, please visit the
MaxPreps Tour of Champions site.
Photo Courtesy of Yorktown HS
