FORT WAYNE, Ind. — For Carroll High School senior Chloe Herschberger, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend a Taylor Swift concert turned into a decision between a night of pop hits and the potential of a sports triumph. When she chose to join her volleyball teammates instead, she ended up winning a Semi-State championship — a moment she says she’ll remember far longer than a concert.
A Concert to Remember — Or Not
Chloe and her sister, Kennedy, managed to get highly sought-after tickets to see Taylor Swift on her Eras Tour over a year in advance, after hours of anticipation in virtual queues. The sisters, both huge fans, were ecstatic when they finally secured seats. “It was like crazy to get Taylor Swift tickets because it’s really hard to get them,” Chloe said. “When they surprised me with them, I was so excited to finally get to see her in concert.”
Kennedy, now a college freshman, shared Chloe’s excitement. “It was going to be a fun thing for us to do as seniors. Us in college, and her finishing out her senior year of high school,” she said.
Volleyball Season Heats Up
As fall approached, however, the Herschbergers realized that the concert date clashed with a critical volleyball playoff match. Carroll High’s volleyball team had a strong season, with real hopes of advancing far in the state tournament. But if they reached the Semi-State match, Chloe would have to miss the concert.
“There was always a chance we could make it,” Chloe explained. “We were talking about Regionals, and we were saying if we won, which we had a good chance of winning, we would not be able to go to Taylor Swift.”
Kennedy initially hoped they could make both work. “We should still go,” she had suggested, torn between cheering on her sister and seeing Swift live. But Chloe’s immediate reaction was firm: “No, I can’t.”
Selling the Tickets, Embracing the Game
With Carroll advancing through Regionals, the sisters made the difficult decision to sell their tickets to the concert. The choice became one of loyalty to the team, especially as they geared up for a high-stakes Semi-State match. The Chargers faced Hamilton Southeastern, a formidable opponent and two-time defending state champion.
In a tense 3-1 match, Carroll pulled off the upset victory, clinching the Semi-State title and earning a spot in the state championship. The Herschbergers’ sacrifice became worth every missed note. “I don’t think I would’ve cried at Taylor Swift, but I sobbed at the game,” Kennedy admitted, clearly moved by the moment.
“More Than Just a Game”
For Chloe, the win was a career-defining moment and a highlight of her senior year. “It was exciting to win Semi-State, and seeing my sister after, and my parents,” she said. “It’s so much more exciting than going to Taylor Swift.”
The sisters shared the excitement together, reveling in the victory. “Whether they won or whether it was her last game playing volleyball, that I got to be there was really sweet,” Kennedy said. Her pride and happiness for Chloe overshadowed the missed concert.
The decision reflects a depth of dedication that goes beyond a typical high school sports story. “It was just nice to see my sister be at that game and still be so excited for me, even though we didn’t get to go to the concert,” Chloe reflected.
A Future Chance for Taylor Swift?
While the Eras Tour has moved on from Indiana, Kennedy and Chloe remain hopeful they’ll eventually see Swift perform together. “This can’t be her last time touring,” Kennedy joked. “We’ll figure it out.” Chloe agreed, although she acknowledged, “It’s just kind of hard to get tickets again. But if we could, then it would definitely be fun to have that opportunity.”
For now, Chloe’s focus remains on the state championship match. Carroll will take on Yorktown in the Class 4A final on Saturday, Nov. 9, at Worthen Arena, Ball State University, as she aims to cap her high school volleyball career with a state title.
