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Tippecanoe girls spike Bellbrook, make state
Sunday, November 04, 2007
WILMINGTON — The evolution of the Tippecanoe girls high school volleyball program continued Saturday.
The Red Devils withstood a first-game challenge from Bellbrook and won the other games in methodical fashion for a 25-21, 25-15, 25-16 victory in Division II regional final at Wilmington High School.
Extras
Tipp, 28-0 and No. 2 in the state, moves on to the D-II state tourney Friday at Wright State, playing Columbus Hartley (22-5) in the semis. Salem (No. 1 in D-II at 26-0) and Toledo Central Catholic (23-4) open at 11 a.m.
When Pat Carus took over as coach four years ago, his goal was "to make volleyball important again at the school." His Tippecanoe teams have gone from 7-16 to 17-6, 23-3 last year and now making the state semifinals.
"I can't believe how far we've come since I was a freshman," said senior middle hitter Gina Porto.
Bellbrook, in its first regional, hung tough behind Brittany Powers, Stephanie Bruggeman and Blair Spliter.
The first game was 20-20 before kills by Porto and Cassie Berning made it 22-20. Unforced errors made it 23-21. A long rally ended in a mishit by Bellbrook to put Tipp up 24-21 and Berning ended it quickly with one of her 12 kills.
"When they got the point on that long rally to make it 24-21, it changed the momentum for the rest of the match in their favor," said Bellbrook coach Jeanne Clemenz.
Tipp's Berning had 12 kills, Abby Dowd eight, Porto six and six blocks, Hillary Andrews five kills and Hallie Donathan 29 assists.
Division III
Cincinnati Roger Bacon is back at state for the sixth time in nine years after a 25-23, 25-23, 25-22 defeat of Versailles (24-3, ranked No. 2 in state). It was the third time in four years the Tigers lost in the regional finals. Bacon is 19-8.
Division IV
Marion Local (26-1) and Jackson Center (25-3), the No. 1 and 2 teams in the state, both advanced to the Final Four. Marion defeated Bascom Hopewell-Loudon 25-13, 25-15, 25-17 in a regional final at Elida. Jackson Center dismissed Lehman Catholic in the Vandalia regional 25-17, 25-23, 27-25.
