High Schools

FAIRBORN — Wearing shorts and tennis shoes on the sideline, Fairmont alumnus David Franklin didn't look like your average volleyball coach. With his Lima Central Catholic team winning the Division III state title Saturday, he proved looks are everything.

"It's hot in our gym, so we cleared it with our administration to wear shorts (during the regular season)," said Franklin. "When we came here we told our principal we'll wear pants and do the professional thing, and he said, 'You've been winning with shorts. You're not changing now.' "

The Thunderbirds defeated Alexander 25-27, 25-17, 25-15 and 25-20 to claim the school's first state title in the sport.

After losing the first game, LCC was in complete control of the second and third. The Thunderbirds went on a 9-2 rally in the second to take a 13-5 lead that was never relinquished and forced Alexander to make eight errors to take the third game.

In the final set LCC fell behind 19-16. But after recording seven straight points and nine of the last 10, the Thunderbirds claimed the title.

"It came down to our blocking, and we served tough after that first game," said Franklin. "We're a blocking team, and we blocked all day."

Sophomores JoJo Kreig and Danielle Taflinger came up big. Kreig had 18 kills and 11 digs. Taflinger added 13 kills and six blocks.

The victory was even sweeter for the athletes since they are normally overshadowed by Midwest Athletic Conference regional teams.

"It's not about the big conferences, it's the little schools and players that played as a team (and won)," said Kreig. "It's good to show people it's not always about the MAC."

Division I

They had to beat the only team who beat them to claim a state title. It took Cincinnati Mother of Mercy five games, but it finally won its fourth state championship.

Defeating Mount Notre Dame 16-25, 25-12, 26-28, 25-19 and 15-11, the Bobcats claimed their first title since 1982. Mercy has been runner-up four times, including last season when it lost to Mount Notre Dame.

"Our two styles of play are different, and I felt that whoever executed their style of play today would be the winner," said Mercy coach Denise Harvey. "In the end, we were able to execute our style when we needed to."

Division II

It didn't take long for Toledo Central Catholic to claim a title. In three straight sets the Irish defeated Bishop Hartley 25-19, 26-24 and 25-17.

It is the school's first state title in volleyball. Toledo's Ashley Frazier had 15 kills and 12 digs. Amanda Arnold had 10 digs and 10 kills.