Sunday, November 04, 2001
Three make state volleyball tourney
Roger Bacon, St. Ursula, Ursuline advance
By George Schutte
Enquirer contributor
Roger Bacon returns to the Division II state tournament this week with the same team that finished second last year with one goal in mind: win two matches instead of one.
The Spartans easily defeated Girls Greater Cincinnati League rival Kettering Alter 15-6, 15-8 Saturday in the regional final.
Roger Bacon started slowly in the first game, falling behind 6-2 as Alter's Kim Burr scored on an ace and a kill. Coach Caryl Schawepromptly called a timeout.
“I told the girls that Alter was not beating us,” Schawe said. “The slow start was very uncharacteristic of this team.”
Roger Bacon responded by scoring 13 unanswered points. Senior outside hitter Maggie Goller led the way with three kills.
“We weren't worried when we fell behind,” Goller said. “We were going to win.”
Alter was its own worst enemy in both games, committing 22 unforced errors.
“There wasn't any increased pressure playing them (Alter) for the third time,” Schawe said. “I told the kids early in the week that it was just another game and to stay focused and play to their ability and we would win in two.”
Roger Bacon started the second game slowly as well, falling behind 3-0. But with the score tied 7-7, Alter started making mistakes again and Roger Bacon went ahead 11-8.
Junior Mary Brunner had two blocks for points and a kill in the final four points.
Brunner finished with five kills and four blocks, while Eryn Speed added three kills and three blocks.
Alter finishes its season 24-3 — with all three losses to Roger Bacon. The Spartans advance to the state semifinals at 6 p.m. Friday at Wright State University.
Division I
St. Ursula advanced to the state final four by beating Vandalia Butler 15-13, 10-15, 15-8 Saturday night.
The Bulldogs are seeking a seventh state championship, but their first in Division I.
Ursuline also won in Division I, beating Westerville South Saturday.
Ursuline will play No.1 Toledo St. Ursula, which was state runner-up last year to Mount Notre Dame, Thursday at Wright State University.
Division III
Despite a quick start, Reading lost in the regional final to Marion Elgin, 4-15, 16-14, 15-3.
The Blue Devils dominated the first game as senior outside hitter Cara Peace had five kills.
But with a 14-10 lead in the second game, Reading started to crack. Elgin rallied behind seniors Jennifer Thornberry and Caitlin Carr.
“Jen and Caitlin are our two senior leaders,” coach Sherril Appelfeller said. “They stepped up when we needed them to.”
Thornberry scored four points on three kills and a block to tie the game. Carr then served an ace to put Elgin up 15-14, and Reading's return of the next serve went out of bounds to end the game.
Reading finishesat 20-7. Elgin advances to the state semifinals after defeating top-seeded Valley View and defending state champion Sidney Lehman.
State volleyball schedule
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Ohio second-round pairings
Ohio first-round scores
Colerain 30, Hamilton 7
Elder 38, Lebanon 13
Princeton 56, Anderson 20
St. Xavier 41, Northmont 6
Dayton Carroll 18, Roger Bacon 13
McNicholas 56, Mount Healthy 13
New Richmond 42, Ross 38
Piqua 21, Edgewood 0
Washington C.H. 39, Indian Hill 31
Wyoming 49, Jonathan Alder 21
Badin 23, Valley View 16
Coldwater 54, Madeira 14
North College Hill 41, Chillicothe Zane Trace 10
Reading 39, Wheelersburg 31
Covington 47, Williamsburg 14
Kentucky second-round pairings
Kentucky first-round scores
Ballard 43, Dixie Heights 32
Beechwood 56, Berea 6
Bellevue 27, Nicholas Co. 13
Covington Catholic 44, Harrison Co. 22
Highlands 49, Bourbon County 30
Holmes 24, Montgomery County 0
Lexington Catholic 54, Grant County 14
Lloyd 46, East Carter 0
Newport Central Catholic 56, Raceland 7
Paris 37, Holy Cross 6
Shelby County 19, Boone County 17
Indiana playoff pairings
Indiana playoff scores
Three make state volleyball tourney
