PHOTO BY JUSTPHOTOS.BIZ
The Walsh Warriors, led by Allison Foschia, made it seven wins in a row on Thursday, defeating Salem 3-2 in a Division II regional semifinal on Thursday night in Stow.
STOW -- Walsh Jesuit's improbable volleyball season continues.
The Warriors (17-10) defeated Salem 3-2 and won Game 5 by a 15-9 count on Thursday to advance to the Stow Division II Regional championship against Mentor Lake Catholic on Saturday at 2 p.m.
"I am so proud of this team," Walsh Jesuit coach Missy Sturm said. "We lost 10 matches this year, and they continue to come back and work hard. We play a strong schedule. I do that because I think it pays off in games like this. We did it against Kenston. we were down two, and came back and won three, and we were down one here and were able to win a fifth game. They persevere for sure."
The Warriors have won seven straight matches.
Salem started out strong with a dominating 25-16 first game victory, but Walsh stormed back to win games two and three 25-12, and 25-21. The Quakers rebounded in Game 4 winning 25-14.
Walsh star Allison Foschia and Salem standout Amy Scullion exchanged thunderous spikes and volleys in the first four games. When Game 5 was on the line, it was Foschia took over with four consecutive kills to give Walsh a 4-1 lead, a lead they would never relinquish.
Foschia, who is headed to Duquesne University to continue her volleyball career, saved Walsh time and again when Salem would make a run. She finished with 23 kills and four aces. Jacqui Endre also had an outstanding game for the Warriors with 24 digs. Michelle Simpson had 47 assists and Janean Kazimir five blocks.
Salem's Scullion, headed to Ohio State on a basketball scholarship, recorded 30 kills, 20 digs, three blocks and two aces.
"We just kept our cool," Foschia said. "We came out a little shaky, but we got it together and just played our best I think. In the fifth game we just had to pull it together quick. Fifteen points you can't make many errors, and we just did our thing, and came out really strong."
Mentor Lake Catholic ousted Buckeye in three games in the second match of the doubleheader at Stow High School.