(10-4-21) A total of 270 teams and approximately 2,700 girls were entered in the first volleyball state tournament in 1972. From that field, eight teams advanced to play in the first state finals tournament at Beech Grove High School on December 9, 1972. South Bend St. Joseph’s emerged the victor in a 15-5, 15-5 battle with Ben Davis to claim the first IHSAA state championship in a girls sport.

Head Coach Glorianne Mather led the Indians to the title and a 17-1 record.

1972 IHSAA State Volleyball Championships
Dec. 9, 1972 | Beech Grove High School, Indianapolis

Quarterfinals
Taylor def. Adams Central, 5-15, 19-17, 15-13.
South Bend St. Joseph’s def. Hammond Gavit, 15-2, 13-15, 15-2.
Bloomington South def. Springs Valley, 15-6, 11-15, 16-14.
Ben Davis def. Huntington North, 15-6, 15-8.

Semifinals
South Bend St. Joseph’s def. Taylor, 15-9, 15-3.
Ben Davis def. Bloomington South, 10-15, 15-5, 15-10.

State Championship
South Bend St. Joseph’s def. Ben Davis, 15-5, 15-5.

The first Mental Attitude Award Winner was the Indians’ Marianne Lies.

St. Joe has appeared twice in the State Semifinals in 3A since the 1972 title…back-to-back seasons 2004-2005.

2004 – Class 3A Semifinals – Lawrence North High School, Indianapolis
Boonville def. South Bend St. Joseph’s, 25-19, 25-22, 19-25, 20-25,
15-12

2005 – Class 3A Semifinals – Lawrence North High School, Indianapolis
Boonville def. South Bend St. Joseph’s, 25-21, 25-15, 25-21.

A lot has happened to shape high school volleyball since 1972 –

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