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Alter girls volleyball to make another appearance in state tourney

Alter finds direction just in time to challenge for a fourth state title.

The Alter volleyball team celebrated a 3-0 win over Shawnee in the Division II district volleyball championship at Fairmont High School's Trent Arena on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011. Alter is one of the final four D-II teams in the state for the third time in five years.

Peter Wine The Alter volleyball team celebrated a 3-0 win over Shawnee in the Division II district volleyball championship at Fairmont High School's Trent Arena on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011. Alter is one of the final four D-II teams in the state for the third time in five years.

ENLARGE PHOTO

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By Debbie Juniewicz, Contributing Writer 12:08 AM Thursday, November 10, 2011

KETTERING — It wasn’t a direct route, but the Alter Knights made it to their desired destination — the Division II state volleyball tournament.

“I knew we had the potential, but we took the long road, made some detours and got lost a little bit, but we made it,” Alter coach Tina Jasinowski said.

The 12th-ranked Knights will make their third state appearance in the past five years when they face off against second-ranked Mansfield Madison in the semifinals tonight at the Nutter Center. Alter has made six state appearances and won three state titles, most recently in 2006.

“I think this is one of the most talented teams I have ever had,” Jasinowski said. “But we are young, and sometimes it takes time to cultivate that talent.”

Three sophomores and a freshman play key roles in the Knights’ game plan. Sophomore Mary Rodehaver plays setter while Natalie Seiler and Sara Crotty are middle hitters. Freshman Maddie Bazelak has provided a spark throughout the tournament as an outside and middle hitter.

The Knights’ inexperience paired with a tough Girls Greater Cincinnati League schedule contributed to an unimpressive 13-9 regular-season record. At 18-9, the Knights, along with fellow D-II team Beaumont, have the most losses of any team at the state tournament.

“I don’t mind having nine losses as long as the last match we play is a win,” Jasinowski said. “I’d rather have a 20-9 season than be 25-1 like Wyoming.”

Alter bumped out top-ranked Wyoming in the regional semifinals, handing the Cowboys their only loss this year.

Inexperience wasn’t the Knights only hurdle this season.

“We struggled with leadership,” Jasinowski said. “Early on, it wasn’t necessarily there. We needed the seniors to be on board, we needed them to be the leaders.”

Seniors Megan Courtney, Kristen Kaiser and Kelsey McGraw have evolved as leaders, on and off the court, as the season progressed. That leadership has been critical in the Knights’ tournament run.

The Knights have also overcome injury, as middle hitter Sara Crotty was sidelined before the season even got under way. Crotty broke a finger during the first week of practice and later sprained her ankle, but is now back and healthy.

With the younger players more confident and consistent, much-needed leadership in place and a healthy roster, the Knights are poised to make a run for their fourth state title.

“It hasn’t been smooth sailing, but we always had our eye on the prize,” Jasinowski said.

Five first-timers: Top-ranked Miami East (27-1) is one of five first-time state qualifiers, along with Division I Findlay (22-5), D-II Cleveland Heights Beaumont (18-9), D-III Bishop Ready (22-5) and D-IV Sycamore Mohawk (25-2). There is only one defending champion in the mix this year, as 2010 D-I winner Toledo St. Ursula is back to defend its crown.

State volleyball

What: OHSAA State Volleyball Tournament

Where: Nutter Center

When: Today-Saturday

Cost: $9

Semifinals

Today

Division III: Noon — Gilmour Academy (25-2) vs. Bishop Ready (22-5); 2 p.m. — Adena (24-3) vs. Miami East (27-1).

Division II: 4 p.m. — Bishop Hartley (22-5) vs. Beaumont (18-9); 6 p.m. — Alter (28-9) vs. Mansfield Madison (26-2).

Friday

Division I: noon — Findlay (22-5) vs. Mount Notre Dame (22-5); 2 p.m. — Toledo St. Ursula Academy (27-0) vs. Walsh Jesuit (20-7)

Division IV: 4 p.m. — Tuscarawas C.C. (23-4) vs. Reedsville Eastern (27-0); 6 p.m. — Sycamore Mohawk (25-2) vs. St. Henry (26-1)