Staff report
FORT LORAMIE — Fort Loramie jumped on previously unbeaten Jackson Center in County volleyball action Tuesday night, winning the first two games.
But the Lady Redskins had to dig down deep in the deciding fifth game to hand the state’s No. 2-ranked team its only loss of the season so far, 3-2.
The scores were 25-19, 25-19, 14-25, 17-25, 17-15. Jackson Center entered the match not having lost a single game all season long.
The game put the finishing touches on the County standings. Jackson Center had already wrapped up an outright title on Monday night with a win at home over Anna, and finishes 11-1 in league play. The Lady Tigers are now 21-1 overall and open Division 4 sectional play Saturday at Troy against Tri-County North at 11 a.m.
Fort Loramie, the defending D-4 state champion, ends up 9-3 in the league and is 13-8 overall heading into D-4 tournament play at Tipp City Monday at 6 against Dayton Jefferson.
“I can’t think of a better gift for our seniors, who all made big contributions to this win,” said Loramie coach John Rodgers, in reference to Maddie Brandewie, Katy Hoying, Jesse Stephens and Brooke Ruhenkamp. “And this is a great start to the second season. This was about the team coming together and playing the way they are capable.”
Loramie won the first two games but the Lady Redskins found themselves on the ropes, losing the next two decidedly, and then trailing 9-5 and 12-9 in the fifth game. But they found a way to win.
“We just fell short,” said Jackson coach Kim Metz. “Fort Loramie came out and jumped on us, and we fell flat. They took advantage of some mental mistakes. But we got it to the fifth game and had the lead before we fell back on our heels a little bit. But you just pick yourself up, dust yourself off and get ready for the next one.”
Fort Loramie was led by Caleigh Barhorst with 28 kills and 19 digs. Sara Stang had 12 kills and 19 digs, and Maddie Brandewie had 46 assists and 24 digs. Maeve Hilgefort added six kills.
Jackson Center was led by Cassie Meyer, who had 24 kills and seven digs, and Kamryn Elchert, with 22 assists and 10 digs.
Alicia Kessler had seven kills and three blocks, Erin Metz six kills and Christen Ware five kills.
Peyton Esser had 28 digs and Pauline Meyer added 14 digs.
FINAL COUNTY STANDINGS — 1. Jackson Center 11-1 (21-1), 2. Anna 10-2 (17-5), 3. Fort Loramie 9-3 (14-8), 4. Fairlawn 6-6 (16-6), 5. Russia 4-8 (8-13), 6. Houston 2-10 (7-13), 7. Botkins 0-12 (5-17).
Pleiman sets dig
record at Russia
RUSSIA – The Fairlawn Lady Jets nailed down fourth place in the final County standings with a 3-1 win over Russia on the road Tuesday.
The scores were 25-19, 25-16, 20-25, 25-17, and it gave the Lady Jets a final 6-6 league mark and a 16-6 record overall.
Russia finishes 4-8 in the County and is 8-13 on the season.
Highlighting the night for Russia was a record-setting performance by Cassie Pleiman. She finished the game with 35 digs, and that’s a new single-match record.
Christina Gaerke and Cameo Wilson both had 11 kills for the Lady Raiders, with Gaerke adding four solo blocks. Katie Swartz had 17 assists and 15 digs, and Whitney Pleiman added 11 digs.
For the Lady Jets, Audrey Francis had 24 kills and 32 digs, Chelsie Brautigam served up 37 aces and had nine digs, Paige Vondenheuvel had six kills and 20 digs, and Mollie Roe seven kills and three blocks.
Russia’s junior varsity won 2-0.
Sidney girls lose
in GWOC tourney
Sidney fell to 8-13 on the season after a 3-0 loss to Miamisburg in the Greater Western Ohio Conference tournament.
The scores were 25-22, 25-16, 26-24. Sidney is back in action Monday in sectional tournament play at Centerville against Springfield at 6 p.m.
Adrianna Cook had nine kills for Sidney and Amanda Thomas seven. Jada Rowland had two solo blocks and Kiana Calvert and McKenzie Lambdin each had two aces.
Lambdin led the defense with 13 digs and Carrie Nuss had 20 assists and 12 digs.
The Sidney junior varsity won 25-20, 25-20. Rowland had eight kills, Alina Kindle had 13 digs, Allie Herrick 11 digs and Payton Boshears 10 digs and two aces.
Lehman falls 3-1
In action on Monday at Miami East, the Lehman Lady Cavs dropped a 3-1 verdict to fall to 14-8 on the year.
The scores were 28-26, 9-25, 25-14, 25-18.
East is now 17-4.
Sidney Chapman had 22 kills and Maddy McFarland 15 for Lehman. Chapman, McFarland and Madison Hussey all had two ace serves.
Hussey had 20 digs, Chapman 15 and Madeline Smith 12 to go with 37 assists.
Lady Rangers fall
to Marion Local
NEW KNOXVILLE — New Knoxville lost to Marion Local in Midwest Athletic Conference play Tuesday, 3-2.
The Lady Rangers won the first game 25-21, and the third game 25-17, but the Lady Flyers took the second and fourth games by 25-19 scores, and the deciding fifth game 15-1.
For Knoxville, Rachel Leffel pounded out 20 kills and had 20 digs, Madison Lammers had 17 kills, 24 digs and three aces, and Kenzie Schroer had 43 assists, nine kills and 17 digs to lead the way.
Abby Lageman and Serene Hostetter both had 20 digs, and Ashlyn Miller added 19. Lammers had three aces, and Leffel, Jenna Schwieterman and Lageman two apiece.
Marion Local won the JV game 2-1.
New Knoxville is now 12-9 heading to Fort Recovery Thursday.
