NORTH ROBINSON – The Battle of Route 602 — and together with it the Northern 10 East Division volleyball title — belongs to Buckeye Central.
After recognizing Colonel Crawford a one-set lead at 22-25, the Buckettes gained three straight, 25-20, 25-22, 26-24, Tuesday evening inside a jam-packed Mac Morrison Gymnasium.
The victory earns BC (18-3, 11-1) the fitting to host West Division champion Tiffin Calvert (20-0, 12-0) on Thursday for the general league crown. The Senecas are defending state champions and No. 1 within the Division VII Ohio Excessive College Volleyball Coaches Affiliation ballot. Colonel Crawford (9-3, 16-5) hosts Mohawk (10-2, 18-3) the identical evening for third place.
"What an amazing technique to finish our season and prepare for tournaments," Buckeye Central coach Paige Caudill mentioned. "Crawford brings their finest of their health club and our children got here out to assist us alongside."
The primary set went properly for the Woman Eagles as they got here again from an early 7-2 deficit to tie it at 10-10, considered one of 5 ties within the set. Emmi Powers and Reese Redman led Colonel Crawford with 5 kills apiece, together with an ace from Sophia Grey.
"It was an exceptional environment," Caudill mentioned. "We had been in a position to management that pleasure and be composed, you're utilizing that vitality with out it depleting you."
That labored as BC gained set two after a robust begin. Three aces from Milania Chamberlain and a Megan Siefert kill set the tone, however Crawford fought again tying it at 10, 11 and 13.
A Mayzie Hanlon ace proved pivotal as Buckeye held a 23-19 lead earlier than Chamberlain's spike ended the set. Set three additionally featured an important dig by Joslynn Hensley, together with a kill, main to five straight BC factors.
"In that third set we determined the place that ball was going to go and we didn't query. We felt the circulate of the sport. Within the fourth we fell out of that slightly bit and struggled with our serve-receive," Caudill mentioned.
There have been 11 ties within the fourth set, however Siefert put it away for a 26-24 victory and a berth within the convention championship.
"We positively had our opportunites to execute. However we had too many moments the place we performed timid and didn't play to win," Colonel Crawford coach Jaime Valentine mentioned.
"We struggled offensively tonight. A few of the key hitters that usually put away balls for us weren't actually discovering openings and that hurts. They did an important job of blocking and that received into our heads slightly bit."
Emma Keller had a number of blocks and kills. Harper Kantzer, Ella Daniel and Hanlon added factors for the Buckettes.
"We’ve got to learn to play on the massive stage. If we will't win these moments it's going to be a wrestle," Valentine mentioned. "We play Mohawk on Thursday and so they're going to be robust too. We knew coming into this week we knew it will be a tricky match, no matter who performed.
"You need to maintain the opponent that's proper in entrance of you and we simply didn't do this tonight."
Redman, Alaina Parr, Powers and Saylor Holt led the Woman Eagles assault.
For Buckeye Central, Wednesday brings a day of preparation for a state-level opponent.
"I'm excited to see the place we're at in opposition to a staff like that. Let's exit and see. Let's see what changes we have now to make, and let's see if we will discover the factors the place we have to discover them," Caudill mentioned.
"We've grown up this 12 months. Our senior (Keller) has grown into a job the place we’re relying on her and she or he's coming via on the internet. We've received to be extra constant and say, 'When so-and-so is struggling, I’ve to select up my sport.'"
Colonel Crawford honored its 4 seniors, Lauren Roberts, Lila Plesac, Sydney Rayborn and Hadley Davis, together with Keller, previous to the match.
This text initially appeared on Mansfield Information Journal: e