YORKTOWN, Ind. — Center Grove coach Deb McClurg worried the Trojans’ penchant for slow starts eventually would burn them, especially as they faced better teams in the state tournament.

It did just that during the afternoon match at the volleyball state finals Saturday. No. 4 Center Grove led just once in the first two games and lost 25-22, 25-21, 27-25 to No. 2 Muncie Central in a Class 4A semifinal match at Yorktown High School, the first time the Trojans lost in three straight games this season.

“The first game, we had 13 errors and that kind of puts you in the hole,’’ McClurg said.

“It comes down to the basics,‘’ said senior right side hitter Chelsea Kirkpatrick, who has signed to play collegiately at DePaul. "They let us make the mistakes. We fought our hardest, but we had a bad match.’’

The Trojans (33-4) led 1-0 to start the second game, but Muncie Central scored seven of the next eight points to take the lead and held on for the victory. Center Grove didn’t help itself with five service errors, including four in a row at one point.

The third game was close throughout and, after a Muncie Central kill attempt went out of bounds, the Trojans held a 24-23 lead with a chance to extend the match to another game.

But Muncie Central scored the next three points.

Center Grove was making its first state finals appearance since winning the 4A title in 2000.

Muncie Central was making its seventh appearance since 2000 and 12th overall.

“There’s something about being here,” McClurg said. "Some of our kids were a little winded and it was because of the atmosphere of playing here. But you’ve got to suck it up.’’

Even with the lack of state finals experience, the Trojans had high hopes because of the presence of eight seniors on their roster, including five who already have signed to play college volleyball.

“Mentally, we just weren’t consistent enough and I think that hurt us,‘’ McClurg said. "When they got on a roll, you’ve got to stop their momentum. We just couldn’t do that in the first or second game."

Muncie Central wins

Muncie Central won its sixth state championship, first since 2004, with a 25-19, 25-23, 25-16 win over Elkhart Memorial at Ball State University’s Worthen Arena on Saturday night.

“We had some kids step up and play the best volleyball of their lives tonight,” Muncie Central coach Wes Lyon said, citing Jamie Drummer, Alyssa Sorrell and Zoe Bilello.

Muncie Central (35-4) was led by Drummer (14 kills and 13 blocks), Sorrell (10 kills), Bilello (eight digs) and Abbie Allardt (10 kills). Elkhart Memorial (36-3) was led by Brittany Anglemyer (17 kills, two blocks) and Krystle Troyer (10 kills, nine digs).

Call Star reporter Michael Pointer at (317) 444-2709.