How To Go
What: 36th Annual State Volleyball Tournament
Where: Nutter Center
When: Today through Saturday
Schedule
Semifinals
Thursday – Division IV: Noon – Lehman Catholic (27-1) vs. Toledo Christian (22-5); 2 p.m. – New Philadelphia Tuscarawas Central Catholic (25-1) vs. Dalton (23-4).
Division III: 4 p.m. – Gilmour Academy (23-4) vs. Zoarville Tuscarawas Valley (28-0); 6 p.m. – Bishop Fenwick (26-1) vs. Parkway (22-5).
Friday – Division II: Noon – Big Walnut (22-5) vs. Mansfield Madison Comprehensive (27-1); 2 p.m. – Alter (20-7) vs. Mentor Lake Catholic (24-2).
Division I: 4 p.m. – Ursuline (27-0) vs. Dublin Coffman (26-1); 6 p.m. – Toledo St. Ursula (26-1) vs. Brecksville-Broadview Heights (22-6).
Finals
Saturday – 11 a.m. – Division IV; 1 p.m. – Division III; 3 p.m. – Division II; 5 p.m. – Division I
Cost: $9
Note: Semifinal times are approximate with the first match at noon and subsequent matches 30 minutes after the conclusion of the preceding match.
The Fenwick Falcons have some unfinished business.
“We got to this point before and I have nine returning seniors who got a taste of this last year,” Fenwick coach Yoon Ha said. “They don’t want to lose again.”
The veteran Falcons team is making its second state appearance in as many years and will face Parkway in the Division III state volleyball semifinals today at the Nutter Center. While last year’s semifinal loss to eventual state champion Huron was hard to swallow, Ha thinks the experience will pay off.
“Everyone was new to state, including me, last year and I think it was easy to get a little overwhelmed,” he said. “This time, we are better prepared and more familiar with the atmosphere.”
They are also no longer an underdog as the Falcons finished the season ranked No. 2 in the state and 45th in the PrepVolleyball.com Century Club national high school rankings.
“I want them to feel good about their accolades but not let it go to their heads,” Ha said. “And regardless of what happens, these girls are leaving a legacy at Fenwick.”
The hard way: Lehman Catholic coach Greg Snipes knew it wouldn't be easy but he also knew it wouldn't be impossible.
Earning a bid to the Division IV state tournament would mean beating three-time defending state champion Marion Local in the regional final. The Cavaliers did it in straight sets.
“Even though that was a great victory, we still have something to prove,” Snipes said. “This is one of the first teams we’ve had in a few years with a good confidence level.”
That confidence has grown throughout the season as Lehman has compiled a 27-1 record while facing powerhouses in the MAC and throughout Shelby County. The Cavaliers won state titles in 2000 and 2005.
The sister act of sophomore setter Andrea Thobe and senior outside hitter Jessica Thobe has come up big with 835 assists and 343 aces, respectively. But in the Cavaliers offense, everyone contributes as Morgan Schmitmeyer (240), Ellie Waldsmith (145), Ann Watercutter (130) and Paxton Hatcher (130) have all tallied triple-digit kills.
Quick hits
• Division I Ursuline Academy (27-0), the only defending champion in the tournament field, is looking to capture a fifth state volleyball title. The Lions, making their 11th all-time appearance in the final four, will face a familiar foe in the semifinals in a rematch of the 2009 final against Dublin Coffman (26-1).
Dalton (23-4) is the only squad making its first state appearance and will play New Philadelphia Tuscarawas (26-1) in the D-IV semifinals.
• There are two perfect teams in the running for a state title in D-I Ursuline Academy (27-0) and D-III Zoarville Tuscarawas Valley. Both teams finished the season ranked No. 1 in the state in their respective divisions.
• All four state championship title matches will be broadcast on a tape delay by SportsTime Ohio. Visit sportstimeohio.com for broadcast schedules.
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