Paul Trembacki Times Correspondent reports
PLYMOUTH | Despondent, deflated and dabbing tears, Ana Nicksic and Taylor Mullen anchored the post-match handshake line and were the last two out of the locker room area Saturday morning.
Following Andrean's 25-23, 25-17, 25-15 loss to South Bend St. Joseph's in the first semifinal of the volleyball Class 3A Plymouth Semistate, the two seniors received one last round of applause from appreciative fans as they hugged parents and said goodbye for the last time as teammates.
"I feel kind of numb," senior setter Nicksic said. "I can't believe it's over. ... It was a wild ride. It was so fun."
Mullen said the shock hadn't subsided. "I'm probably going to put my volleyball bag back in my car on Monday," Mullen said. "I'm not ready for this to be over. It hasn't hit me." Andrean's first semistate volleyball match since 1998 did not last long. Nicksic (30 assists, three blocks) and Mullen (18 kills), were fighting against a stout squad of Indians (26-10) and their own bouts of disbelief after years of losing with two coaches in the previous three years.
The 59ers of Andrean captured their first sole NCC conference championship Tuesday evening defeating the Highland Trogans in straight sets.They ended conference play with a record of 11-1 and 26-5 overall.
