Staff report
TIPP CITY — A year ago, Catholic Central had ended Lehman Catholic’s 21-year run as volleyball district champions in the sectional finals at Tippecanoe High School.
One year later, the two teams took the floor again. And when a scrappy Catholic Central, seeded seventh, took the opening set 25-19 and led 3-0 in the second set, there had to be reason for concern.
But Lehman rebounded by winning the final three sets 25-10, 25-16, 25-15.
Lehman, 18-7, advances to play Miami Valley Christian Academy at 6 p.m. Saturday at Troy in a Division 4 district final.
“We definitely didn’t play well that first game,” Snipes said. “But, you have to give Catholic Central credit for coming out and executing their game plan. They really played well. We had some girls who definitely didn’t play well that first game, but it was great to see the way they responded.”
Madeline Smith dished out 45 assists in the match, while Sidney Chapman pounded 21 kills and had 10 digs.
Maddie McFarland had 13 kills and 11 digs, Marianne Hissong had six kills and three blocks and Allie Hall added five kills and four blocks.
Hussey led a balanced defense with 25 digs and Sehlhorst added 12.
FL tops Riverside
TIPP CITY — The Fort Loramie Lady Redskins were too much for Riverside in a D-4 sectional final at Troy Saturday, winning 3-0 on scores of 25-9, 25-13, 25-21.
Loramie, the defending D-4 state champion, is now matched up against County rival Fairlawn in the district finals Saturday at 3 p.m. at Troy High School.
“We came out very strong and set a tempo at a level we like to play at,” said Loramie coach John Rodgers. “That made a big difference in the first two sets. In the third set, we got a little complacent and lost focus, and if you do that at this level, a team like Riverside can sneak up on you. I told the girls during a timeout that Riverside is not going to give up. But overall, I’m happy with our first three (tourney) matches and our effort has been great.”
Caleigh Barhorst had 19 kills for Loramie and Sarah Stang added nine. Maddi Brandewie handed out 29 assists.
Taylor Ernst had 20 digs, Barhorst 15 and Stang nine.
JC wins in 3
TROY — Top-seeded Jackson Center rolled into the district finals by beating league rival Houston 25-9, 25-11, 25-10 to go to 23-1 on the season.
The Lady Tigers now take on Cincinnati Christian Saturday at Troy for the right to advance to the regional.
Cassie Meyer was outstanding at the net again, finishing with 20 kills for Jackson.
Erin Metz added six kills and Alicia Kessler and Pauline Meyer five kills each. Metz and P. Meyer also had two aces, and Kamryn Elchert served up 28 assists.
Lady Jets upset
No.2 seeded SE
TROY — Fairlawn pulled off the tournament’s only upset and it was a big one. The Lady Jets, seeded No. 6, beat second-seeded Southeastern 3-0 on scores of 25-19, 25-15, 25-14.
Fairlawn, now 18-6, tries for a third time to beat county rival Fort Loramie. The Lady Jets lost both meetings with the Lady Redskins in four games during the regular season, and they meet again Saturday at Troy at 3 p.m.
Audrey Francis had 13 kills and 31 digs, and Mollie Roe 12 kills and three blocks for the Lady Jets Saturday.
Paige Vondenheuvel had nine kills and eight digs and Chelsie Brautigam 30 assists.
“We felt confident against them,” said Fairlawn coach Kelli Thobe. “We scouted them and felt with Audrey and Paige on the outside, we could take advantage. Now we need to focus on Fort Loramie.”
Division 3
Lady Rockets win
sectional crown
BROOKVILLE — The top-seeded Anna Lady Rockets advanced to the D-3 district finals with another 3-0 win in the sectional tournament, this time over Northeastern Saturday at Brookville.
The scores were 25-12, 25-14, 25-10 and the win advanced the now 20-5 Lady Rockets to the district championship on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Tipp City against Cincinnati Roger Bacon (12-9). The winner moves on to regional tournament play.
Krista Gehret led Anna with nine kills, Caileigh Kirtley was right behind with eight and Kennedey Glover had six. And Elizabeth Landis set them up with 27 assists.
Mackenzie Wells had three ace serves and 11 digs. Avery Bensman led the defense with 19 digs and Carly Becker added 15.
Glover added two solo blocks.
