ARCHBOLD WEATHER

Streaks Fall In Regional Final





Devin Newman spikes the ball for a kill, avoiding the outstretched arms of Huron's Katlyn Sommer (9) and Devon Grendow (11). With Archbold down 24-19, the kill was the first of five straight points for the Streaks, but Huron pulled out a 26-24 first-game victory.–photo by Mary Huber

Devin Newman spikes the ball for a kill, avoiding the outstretched arms of Huron’s Katlyn Sommer (9) and Devon Grendow (11). With Archbold down 24-19, the kill was the first of five straight points for the Streaks, but Huron pulled out a 26-24 first-game victory.–photo by Mary Huber

Archbold finally played its first five-game volleyball match of the season, Saturday, Nov. 7.

Unfortunately, it was in the Division III regional fi- nal against Huron.

The Tigers, who had played in four five-game matches this season, used the experience to their advantage, defeating the previously unbeaten Blue Streaks 26-24, 26-28, 25-19, 21-25, 15-9.

“It was definitely a disadvantage for us that we had never gone five games before,” said Julie Nofziger, AHS head coach. “The kids just didn’t know what that was like.

“You can’t get down and give them four or five points before you start to play.”

The victory advanced Huron (24-3) to the Final Four at the state tournament, where they’ll play Middletown Bishop Fenwick (22-4) on Friday. Smithville (26-2) plays Adena (25-2) in the other Div. III state semifinal on Friday.

All four were ranked in the top 15 of the final coaches poll of the season.

Going For The Kill Alyssa Schaub had 18 kills against Huron in the regional semifinal, Saturday, Nov. 7.– photo by Mary Huber

Going For The Kill Alyssa Schaub had 18 kills against Huron in the regional semifinal, Saturday, Nov. 7.– photo by Mary Huber

Archbold finished its season with a 27-1 record.

Both Teams Win One

Huron jumped out to a 10- 5 lead in the first game before Archbold tied the score at 13. A Blue Streak spiking error put the Tigers at game point, 24-19, but Devin Newman’s kill gave the serve back to AHS.

Archbold rallied to tie the score at 24 behind Mindy Wyse’s serving, but two Blue Streak errors gave Huron the first game 26-24.

The second game remained tight throughout. Archbold led almost the entire game, and sat at game point, 24-21, after Huron’s Jesse Miedema was blocked at the net by Emily Snyder and Stacy Wyse.

The Tigers came back and tied the score at 24. A mishandled serve receive put Huron at game point, 25-24, but Alyssa Schaub’s spike was blocked out, and the score was tied at 25. Huron’s spike was blocked, and Archbold was at game point, 26- 25, but a Miedema kill tied the score again.

Setting Up The Offense Stacy Wyse sets the ball for an attack by Sarah Wyse (23) or Emily Snyder (11).– photo by Mary Huber

Setting Up The Offense Stacy Wyse sets the ball for an attack by Sarah Wyse (23) or Emily Snyder (11).– photo by Mary Huber

Archbold took a 27-26 lead with a Hailey Galvan kill, then won the game after Miedema’s spike was out.

Each Team Wins Two

Archbold never led in the third game, but did come within one, 15-14, when Devon Koenig’s spike went long.

A spiking error by Archbold gave the serve right back to Huron, however. The Tigers won the game when Taylor Slauterbeck’s spike was only partially blocked.

Archbold held its largest lead of the fourth game at 22-18 when Don Wood, Huron coach, called a time-out. A kill by Schaub, one of 18 in the contest, put AHS at game point, 24-21, and the Streaks won the fourth game 25-21, sending the match into the fifth and deciding game.

“They’re (Huron) not going to roll over and die, and our kids didn’t either,” said Nofziger. “We lost the first one, and to come back and win the second and the fourth again, I just give the kids a lot of credit.”

Being down 1-0 and 2- 1 “wasn’t a concern,” said Nofziger. “We’ve played up and down all year and we’ve always come back out strong. That didn’t cross my mind. I wasn’t concerned that we couldn’t (win).

“They believe in themselves and we believe in them, and that’s all we can do.”

Game Five

Huron jumped out to 6-1 and 10-5 leads in the fifth game, putting AHS into a hole it just couldn’t climb out of.

Miedema’s kill put the Tigers at match point, 14-9, and blocked Snyder’s spike to win the game and match, 15-9.

“Huron was just able to do more things,” said Nofziger.

“We struggled a little bit at blocking (and) a little bit at serve receive. When you play at this level you can’t struggle. You can’t give up those points by missing serves and missing attacks.

“We talked with the kids all year about just focusing on one point. Just the next point is the only one we have to worry about. We hit hard till the end.

“We went down swinging, and we wouldn’t want it any other way.”

Seniors

It was the last high school contest for nine AHS seniors: Jenna Nofziger, Mindy Wyse, Andrea Allan, Brittany Coressel, Stacy Wyse, Emily Snyder, Betsy Wyse, Devin Newman, and Hailey Galvan.

“They have just worked so hard this year,” said Nofziger. “Some of these kids want to play college ball, and (in the summer) they got the rest of the group in here, got them excited about playing volleyball and the things we can do.

“They’re just so athletic. You don’t get a class like that every year.

“It was great because they were so unselfish. They did not care if they got the kills. They didn’t care anything about the digs, the aces– just if we won. That’s all that mattered to them.

“With that attitude you’ve got to love it. It was easy for me.”

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