Today’s finals
Where: Wright State University Nutter Center
Schedule: (Matches will begin on time or 30 minutes after the previous match)
11 a.m., D-III: Gilmour Academy (26-2) vs. Miami East (28-1).
1 p.m., D-II: Bishop Hartley (23-5) vs. Alter (19-9)
3 p.m., D-I: Mount Notre Dame (23-5) vs. Toledo St. Ursula Academy (28-0)
5 p.m., D-IV: Tuscarawas Central Catholic (24-4) vs. St, Henry (27-1)
Cost: $9
FAIRBORN — The only defending champion at this year’s state volleyball tournament moved one step closer to a repeat on Friday.
Undefeated Toledo St. Ursula (28-0) made quick work of Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit with a 25-16, 27-25, 25-18 win in the Division I semifinals at the Nutter Center. The top-ranked Arrows are on a 48-game winning streak, their last loss coming to Cincinnati Ursuline Academy in the ninth game of the 2010 season.
St. Ursula will face a formidable rival in second-ranked Cincinnati Mount Notre Dame in the title match today. The Cougars (23-5) beat first-time state qualifier Findlay, 25-21, 26-28, 25-25, 25-15, in the semifinals Friday.
Mount Notre Dame has earned five state championship titles, most recently in 2006. The veteran Cougars have 10 seniors, but junior outside hitter Michelle Strizak had a match-leading 20 kills.
Division II: The Alter Knights are a win away from a fourth state championship title, the last one in 2006. Most recently, Alter settled for state runner-up in 2008. Seniors Megan Courtney and Kristen Kaiser both played on that team.
At 19-9, the Knights would be the first Division II team to earn a state title with just 20 wins.
“I wouldn’t want to come in here as an undefeated team and, fortunately, our schedule will never permit that to happen,” Alter coach Tina Jasinowski said.
Alter will have to get past a Columbus Bishop Hartley team that has qualified to state in four of the past five seasons but has yet to earn a title. The Hawks were runners-up in 2007.
Division III: Miami East hopes the first time is the charm as the Vikings play for the D-III title in their first trip to the state tournament.
At 28-1, the Vikings came in as the top-ranked D-III team in the state. The state tournament has been the goal since head coach John Cash took over the program three years ago.
“I think a lot of people thought I was crazy but these girls believed,” Cash said. The team standing in their way is 2010 state runner-up Gates Mills Gilmour Academy (26-2).
By the numbers: Attendance for the state semis was 8,400, with 5,000 fans at Nutter on Friday for the D-I and IV matches.
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