“I think it’s a great thing for the conference and for volleyball in the area,” Fenwick coach Tyler Conley said. “We’ve played 10 sets against them this season, we were at the same sectional and the same district. We know who they are and they know who we are.”
Alter (19-6) won both regular-season matches 3-2. The same teams met in the regional semifinals last season with Fenwick advancing before falling to Logan Elm in the state-qualifying match.
After an injury-riddled season, Fenwick (17-8) is back at full strength.
“This is the healthiest we’ve been all season,” Conley said.
Fenwick sophomore Grace Maziar leads all setters in the state after surpassing the 1,000-assist mark in the Falcons’ district win over Tippecanoe.
Kenton Ridge (20-3) will face returning state qualifier Logan Elm (24-2) in the other D-II semifinal.
Division III: It's a pattern Miami East coach Dan Peterson would like to repeat.
The Vikings won back-to-back D-III state volleyball titles in 2011 and 2012. Miami East added a third title last year and a repeat would be a nice addition to the state banners.
“It’s something we look at in the gym every day,” Peterson said. “It would definitely be a good pattern to get into.”
Peterson has seen several similarities to last season’s state championship team.
“In the preseason and the early season, we were finding our footing,” he said. “We seem to be peaking at a good time.”
Despite graduating five seniors, the Vikings returned much of their offensive firepower in seniors Jonni Parker and Kyndall Hellyer. Parker, who is Penn State-bound, led Miami East in kills in the Vikings’ hard-fought, five-set title win last season.
But the Vikings (23-3) are still a few wins away from the state tournament. Miami East will face Anna (18-7) in the D-III semifinals Thursday at Fairmont High School. Versailles (20-6) will play Johnstown-Monroe (18-7) in other semifinal action.
Division IV: Miami East isn't the only team that would like to continue a pattern. Back-to-back D-IV state champion Jackson Center is back in the regional tournament mix. The Tigers, ranked 12th in the state, don't have an easy road as they will play top-ranked New Bremen (24-1) in the semifinals Thursday at Northmont. Russia and Fort Loramie meet in other semifinal play.
Regional volleyball
Division II
At Butler – Kenton Ridge (20-3) vs. No. 4 Logan Elm (24-2), Thursday, 6 p.m.; No. 13 Bishop Fenwick (17-8) vs. No. 2 Alter (19-6), Thursday, 7:30 p.m. Final: Saturday, 2 p.m.
Division III
At Fairmont – No. 9 Versailles (20-6) vs. Johnstown-Monroe (18-7), Thursday, 6 p.m.; Anna (18-7) vs. No. 5 Miami East (23-3), Thursday, 7:30 p.m. Final: Saturday, 2 p.m.
Division IV
At Northmont
Russia (19-7) vs. Fort Loramie (16-10), Thursday, 6 p.m.; No. 1 New Bremen (24-1) vs. No. 12 Jackson Center (16-8-1), Thursday 7:30 p.m. Final: Saturday, 2 p.m.
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