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FAIRBORN — New Knoxville is a tiny speck on the Ohio map, but its high school volleyball team played some big-time matches en route to its first state appearance since 1989.

"We only have 70 girls in the whole school, and our team is close-knit," said talented senior middle hitter Nicole Wright. "That comes through on the court. Having the community behind us means so much."

The Rangers (25-2) have some brainpower under their rally caps, too. Three players are in the running for valedictorian with 4.0 GPAs — Wright, Haley Kruse and Nikki Kellermeyer.

Wright a future Duke

Wright will pursue journalism and broadcasting at Duquesne University on a volleyball scholarship.

"I'm a big Kirk Herbstreit fan and I'm impressed by the way he conducts himself on College GameDay," Wright said.

Asked if she had to write a feature on herself what would be the theme?

"My competitiveness and love for the game," she said.

Smallville Rangers not intimidated

Playing in the cavernous Nutter Center can be a daunting experience for first-time state participants.

"We've given our girls visualization exercises so they won't be overwhelmed," NK coach Jenny Fledderjohann said.

"The depth perception is a little different than playing in the friendly confines of our small New Knoxville gym," said Wright, laughing.

MAC daddy net-worthy

New Knoxville was second in the Midwest Athletic Conference with a 7-2 record behind 9-0 Versailles. The perennially strong MAC was well-represented in the final state coaches poll with unbeaten Anna (No. 1 in Division III), Versailles (No. 2 in D-III), Marion Local (No. 1 in D-IV) and New Knoxville (No. 3 in D-IV).

"Those weekly matches in the MAC prepares us for anything that we'll see in the postseason," Fledderjohann said. "It's a shame that our teams are eliminated early in the tough New Bremen sectionals with only one team coming out of there."

Branching out

Although athletic talent abounds in her family, Toledo Christian's Maggie Busch has always carved her own niche. Busch is one of the top players in the state volleyball tournament — in any division.

She averages 10 kills and has earned a college scholarship to Michigan. Not bad for a kid sister who has followed several older talented siblings: older sister Molly swims at Illinois, her brother Jacob swims at Ohio State and sister Emily plays volleyball at Eastern Michigan.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2478

or rjackson@DaytonDailyNews.com

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