High Schools

WILMINGTON — Alter looked state-worthy in shattering Cincinnati McNicholas's Cinderella slipper Wednesday.

Playing in the Division II regional volleyball semifinals at Wilmington High School, the Knights swept a feisty McNicholas 25-13, 25-18, 25-22. McNicholas entered with an 11-15 record. The teams are Girls Greater Cincinnati League rivals in the Grey Division.

Alter, 23-3 and No. 2 in the final coaches state poll, advances to the regional finals Saturday at 4 p.m. and will play two-time defending state champ Cincinnati Roger Bacon, who dispatched Washington Court House in the nightcap.

"We panicked against a senior-laden team like Alter," said McNicholas coach Denny Murphy after his team tied Alter 18-18 in the second game. "Looking at Alter's lineup, you can't say, we can take away No. 8 (Sarah Fisher) and we got a chance. They're so balanced that they have four or five other girls that will hurt you. They're No. 2 in Ohio for a reason."

Outside hitter Fisher led the Knights with 15 kills, followed by All-Ohio Emily Borchers, who had an stellar all-around game with nine kills, four blocks and two aces. Katie Laravie collected 12 digs.

The team's engine that sets the quick-paced offense in motion is setter Kacie Hausfeld, who totaled 40 assists.

"We're so deep and we're playing 10 and 11 players every match," said Alter coach Tina Jasinowski. "When we won our state titles, we played only seven. We don't have the one or two players that have D-I coaches drooling, but we can come at you in so many directions and these girls deliver."

Fisher looked formidable on the front row, especially when she teams with Borchers and Hausfeld in the rotation.

"We're a focused team and confident because we know our potential," Fisher said. "We thrive on the pressure and the high-intensity matches that will be coming next."

Division IV at Vandalia: Defending state champion Lehman Catholic (20-6) and New Knoxville (24-2) will meet for the regional championship at 4 p.m. Saturday after semifinal victories Wednesday.

Lehman lost the first game to Loramie 25-23. The Cavs came back to take three tough games, 25-17, 25-20 and 25-23.

Emilee Seger had 55 assists for Lehman while Nell Paulus had 24 digs and four aces. Sarah Lynch dominated at the net with 22 kills. For 18-9 Loramie, Bethany Hoelscher had 19 kills.