East Takes First Volleyball Loss Against No. 1 Perry Meridian

Young Olympians show promise in competitive effort against state's top team

Apr. 3, 2026 at 4:37am

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A cubist-style painting featuring overlapping geometric shapes and planes of color, representing the dynamic action and competitive spirit of a high school volleyball match between two teams.A fractured, cubist depiction of the high-intensity volleyball match between Columbus East and top-ranked Perry Meridian, capturing the energy and competitive spirit of the young Olympians against the state's best.Columbus Today

The Columbus East boys volleyball team suffered its first loss of the season, falling in straight sets to top-ranked Perry Meridian. While the scoreboard showed a tough sweep, the Olympians' competitive effort against the state's best squad provided valuable lessons and experience for the young team.

Why it matters

Facing the No. 1 team in the state this early in the season is the kind of challenge that can either overwhelm a roster or sharpen it. East's ability to keep battling, even when outmatched, demonstrates the team's resilience and potential for growth over the long haul of the season.

The details

East did not have enough firepower to swing the match into a real upset bid, but the Olympians did keep battling, with contributions across the floor. Kash Coers led East with four assists and an ace, while Kamron Robertson had two kills. Patrick Strickland, Matthew Muir and Josiah Shelton each recorded one block, and Trevor Ernst added three digs.

  • The match took place on Thursday night.

The players

Kash Coers

Led East with four assists and an ace.

Kamron Robertson

Recorded two kills for East.

Patrick Strickland

Recorded one block for East.

Matthew Muir

Recorded one block for East.

Josiah Shelton

Recorded one block for East.

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What they’re saying

“Sometimes the scoreboard tells one story, while the bigger lesson lives somewhere deeper in the match.”

— Jeremy Giggy, Sports Director, White River Broadcasting

What’s next

The Olympians will look to bounce back from their first loss as they continue their season.

The takeaway

This match against the state's top team provided valuable experience for the young Columbus East squad, showing them the level of play they need to reach while also demonstrating their resilience and potential for growth over the course of the season.