Photo by Brian Dulik
Top-seeded Wadsworth escaped with a 25-23, 25-23, 24-26, 21-25, 15-7 victory over Cuyahoga Falls in the Barberton Division I District semifinals. The Grizzlies will battle No. 2 seed Medina in the district championship match on Thursday night.
BARBERTON, Ohio -- The top two volleyball teams in Medina County have staged a coup at the Barberton Division I District.
Top-seeded Wadsworth and No. 2 seed Medina both won their semifinal matches Tuesday over Summit County squads, setting up a championship match that many fans have been anticipating all season.
The Grizzlies survived a 20-kill onslaught from Cuyahoga Falls outside hitter Kelsey Beatty, pulling out a 25-23, 25-23, 24-26, 21-25, 15-7 triumph that was every bit as close as the scores indicate.
“Just one ball here or one ball there -- especially in the first two games -- and things might have turned out different,” Black Tigers coach Josh Stewart said. “Tonight was a great example of the momentum of volleyball; riding it and running with it once it’s on your side.”
In the first match of the evening, senior Ally Peters had a match-high 14 kills for the Bees in a 25-13, 25-14, 25-5 win over Copley that was every bit as lopsided as it appears to be.
“This was one of the best matches we’ve played against any team this season,” Medina libero Missy Davis said. "It came at a great time, too."
Wadsworth (20-4) built a 12-6 lead in the third game and appeared on its way to a sweep, but Cuyahoga Falls (16-8) had other ideas and rallied to take the next two.
Beatty (18 digs, 4 blocks) and middle hitter Erin Wilson (15 kills, team-high 19 digs) took over the action at the net, setters Brittany Anderson (26 assists) and Sydney Robinson (19 assists) ran the offense brilliantly, and libero Sophie Moskowitz (20 digs) became a defensive machine.
Their combined work set up a winner-take-all finale, which turned into a Grizzlies onslaught.
Wadsworth middle hitter Rachel Jones and outside hitter Sabrina Parsons combined for seven kills and five blocks in the fifth, while sophomore Peyton Booth had three putdowns, including the game-winner on a spike from the left side of the net.
"I'm so excited right now; we all are," said Jones, who returned to action after missing 1 1/2 weeks with a left high ankle sprain. "Cuyahoga Falls played great for the whole match, but our mentality in the fifth game was 'nothing hits the floor' -- and we didn't let it."
Medina (15-8) defeated Copley (9-16) for the second time in October, both coming decisively in straight games.
Kaitlyn Witsaman had 11 kills and Mallory Gustincic dished out 31 assists for the Bees, who also got 13 digs from Peters and 10 apiece from Davis and Witsaman.
Summer Emich led the Indians with 10 assists, while Micki Gallien recorded nine digs. Nikki Meyer delivered four kills, and Alex Stanton and Kaela Drake each had three.
"The team is geared up for what awaits us," Medina coach Jason Schellenberger said. "This is what you play for all season."