For a second straight season the Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy and McNicholas girls volleyball teams reached the Division III regional semifinal level of the OHSAA tournament.
CHCA won its marathon five-set match over Cardington-Lincoln. Then, McNicholas faltered after taking the opening two sets against Versailles. They wouldn't win another as the Tigers earned a rematch of 2020's regional final in five sets. Versailles and CHCA meet again Saturday at Kettering's Trent Arena at Fairmont High School.
CHCA advances
CHCA went to five sets to hand Cardington-Lincoln just its fourth loss of the season and first since losing a five-setter to Galion Northmor Sept. 16. CHCA won 25-19, 21-25, 25-12, 20-25, 15-11.
It was CHCA's first five-set match since defeating Roger Bacon on Sept. 21.
"We reminded them that we have been in five sets," CHCA coach Lisa Schaad said. "They were going to keep the ball off the floor just like Roger Bacon did."
The Eagles have won or shared the last six Miami Valley Conference-Scarlet Division titles and eight of the last nine. Reigning MVC-Scarlet Coach of the Year Schaad has been led on attack by freshman Allie Barrick who was second in the league in kills. Senior Ava Kraft is among the block leaders and senior Carmen Soloria is among the assist leaders.
Kraft and Barrick delivered Tuesday with 19 and 17 kills, respectively. After starting 0-3, the Eagles have soared to a 21-5 record. Schaad also pointed out libero Katharine Clayton.
"She kept the ball off the floor and kept a lot of scrappy passes that they would bring to us in play," Schaad said.
The Eagles jumped out early with three straight points in game one, but the Pirates rallied to tie the game a couple of times in the early stages. Cardington-Lincoln coach Ryan Treese called a timeout down 14-9, but the Eagles began to pull away, eventually winning by nine.
CHCA led 15-11 in the second contest, but this time a Treese timeout helped as the Pirates stormed back to tie and later win 25-21. Game three was never an issue as the Eagles rolled to an early 16-6 advantage and a 2-1 lead going to game four.
"Girls need to feel good to play good," Schaad said. "They rolled in that set."
But, the Pirates rallied to take game four, sending CHCA to five sets for just the third time this season (the other two came against MVC rival Roger Bacon).
Schaad is happy with this year's advancement after having lost five seniors from last year's Division III state semifinalists who lost to eventual champion Huron. What was thought to be a rebuilding year is now one win away from equaling last year's state appearance.
McNicholas relinquishes lead
In the second match of the night, McNicholas took on Versailles for a second consecutive year. In 2020, the Rockets lost in three sets to finish 12-12. This year's Rockets team began the year 3-5, but finished at 17-9 after Tuesday's five-set disappointment.
McNicholas jumped out to a two-set advantage on Versailles, winning 25-19 twice to start. However, the Tigers stayed alive by taking the third and fourth sets. They then steamrolled their way in the finale, getting out to the 9-0 lead. Versailles moves to the regional final vs. CHCA while the Rockets season ended in the same spot as last year.
Versailles is now 14-13 having won its last five. The final was 19-25, 19-25, 25-14, 25-23, 15-7.
Versailles coach Kenzie Bruggeman credited junior setter Brynn Briscoe with turning the tide in the final set. The Tigers jumped out 9-0. McNicholas would close to 10-6, but one late run gave the Tigers another day to play.
"It was awesome!" Bruggeman said. "Once she kind of lets her guard down and just plays the game, she's good. For her to be able to manipulate the ball like that, she was just waiting to see what she could do next. That was really good and it took the pressure off us a little bit to just go play and finish the game."
CHCA went on to defeat Versailles in the 2020 regional final and advanced to the Division III state semifinal against eventual state champion Huron. The Eagles also advanced to the state semis in 2019.
CHCA now has a rematch with Versailles back at Fairmont Saturday at 2 p.m. in the regional final. The winner advances to the state semifinals next Friday, Nov. 12 at noon at Wright State's Nutter Center. The Division III state championship will be the following day, Nov. 13, at 3 p.m.
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