When the Brebeuf Lady Braves paraded into the Beech Grove High School gymnasium Saturday morning, there was a hint of doubt in the air.

Only four of the 16 players listed on the roster were shorter than the tallest Batesville player.

Tradition walked in as well. Brebeuf carries with them state championship banners in two of the past four years.

Granted height and tradition do not make you a better volleyball player, but it has its advantages.

The Lady Bulldogs entered the day with some pretty impressive numbers of their own. Winners of 33 matches in 35 attempts, Batesville appeared ready for the task.

Unfortunately, coach Diane Dierckman’s crew did not have enough on this day. The eventual regional champion advanced to the title match with a 25-9, 25-17 and 25-16 win over the Lady Bulldogs.

“The girls knew the challenge and everyone stepped up their level of play,” Dierckman commented. “A big team in which six players were over 6-feet tall ... that is just hard to compete with.

“Everyone had some great plays throughout the three games,” she added.

The Lady Braves dominated early, but as the nerves began to settle and play entered the second game, Batesville began to play more relaxed and some success followed.

Batesville played with the Lady Braves during the early stages of game two. A pair of service points by Emily Fledderman gave the Lady Bulldogs a 4-3 lead. After falling behind 9-6, an Ellie Tidman kill pulled the Lady Bulldogs within one point at 10-9.

The third game went much the same way as the second. Batesville led at 4-3 and again at 5-4 on a kill by Madison Lamppert.

But again the Lady Braves had too many weapons. The Brebeuf lead grew to 14-6 before Dierckman was forced to call a time out.

Batesville was able to cut the lead to four points on a pair of service points by Tidman, but that would be as close as they would get.

There is disappointment any time a season comes to an end, but there should not be any question whether this was a successful season for the Lady Bulldogs.

Batesville finished the season with a 33-3 record, winners of the Eastern Indiana Athletic Conference, Ripley County Tournament and record holders for wins in a single season.