Fort Loramie players celebrate after a point in a Shelby County Athletic League match against Jackson Center on Thursday in Fort Loramie. It was the 16th consecutive victory for the squad, which has been ranked No. 1 in the state coaches association Division VII poll all season. More photos will be added to this article by Friday afternoon.
Bryant Billing | Sidney Daily News
FORT LORAMIE – The Fort Loramie volleyball team beat the Jackson Center Tigers 3-0 on Thursday in straight sets in Fort Loramie on senior night in a Shelby County Athletic League matchup.
“You can’t teach experience,” Loramie head coach John Rodgers said. “I’m never worried about them and I’m really comfortable with what they’re doing out there.”
Fort Loramie (18-1, 10-0) took set one 25-15, set two 25-21 and the third 25-14.
The Tigers (13-7, 7-4) battled to a close score in the second set, nearly taking the lead on multiple occasions. They were in a three way tie for second place in the SCAL with Anna and Russia entering Thursday’s match.
“We could have lost the lead and gone down a few points and I still wouldn’t be worried,” Rodgers said about his squad that includes eight seniors. “I trust what they’re doing on the floor and they trust each other.”
Loramie has won its last 16 matches and only has lost one set over the course of those games.
Jackson Center had won each of its last nine contests entering Thursday’s match with its last loss coming at the hands of Fort Loramie on Sept. 10.
“I told the kids I was not frustrated or upset with them outside of our passing game,” Tigers head coach Kim Metz said following the game. “Obviously we need to step it up and get a little bit more disciplined in what we need to do.
“We still have games to play and still have the second season coming up and we’re looking forward to that. We just need to make sure that we’re staying together and communicating a little bit more.”
The Tigers have two more regular season matches to play before tournament season begins, being a match in Jackson Center against Versailles on Saturday at 11 a.m. and an SCAL contest at Fairlawn on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
Fort Loramie will finish out its regular season with a match against Fort Recovery on Saturday at 11 a.m. before two final SCAL away matches against Russia and Anna on Tuesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. respectively.
Anna Rockets dominate Fairlawn
The Anna Rockets volleyball team took Fairlawn down 3-0 in straight sets on Thursday at Fairlawn in an SCAL match.
The Rockets (15-6, 8-3) won set one 25-14, set two 25-17 and set three 25-12.
Liz Staudter led Anna with 12 kills, Izzy Jenkins led with 35 assists, Madison Mumaw was the digs frontrunner with 16 and Khali Washington led the Rockets with two block assists.
Anna has now won its last five matches and leads opponents 15-1 in sets in those games.
Coming into the match the Rockets were tied with Russia and Jackson Center for second place in the SCAL.
Anna rounds out its regular season on Thursday against Fort Loramie at home at 6:30 p.m.
Russia rushes through Botkins
The Russia Raiders beat Botkins in straight sets on Thursday in a SCAL matchup in Russia.
The Raiders (9-11, 8-3) took set one 25-13, set two 25-16 and set three 25-13.
With the win, Russia stayed tied in second place with Anna in the SCAL heading into its final two matchups in the regular season.
The Raiders play Newton Local on Monday at Newton Local at 6:30 p.m. before wrapping up the regular season at home against SCAL leader Fort Loramie at 6:30 p.m.
Sidney beats rival Piqua on senior night
The Yellow Jackets took down Piqua on Tuesday in Sidney 3-0 in a Miami Valley League matchup.
Sidney (11-8, 11-4) took set one 25-23 in a nailbiter, set two 25-15 and set three 25-18.
The Yellow Jackets scored the last two points in the first set and started set three down 4-0.
It was senior night for the squad. Outside hitter Cynthia Davidson, right-side hitter Kaitlyn Adams and libero Maggie Turner werehonored before the game.
Davidson had 22 kills, 11 digs and three aces, all team highs. Alena Swearingen had 43 assists. Adams had Sophia Bosslet eachhad seven kills and Donovia Clark and Gabby Truesdale each had six kills. Truesdale had three blocks.
Sidney had already clinched the MVL Valley Division as it entered Tuesday’s contest with a five-game lead over second placeFairborn giving it its third consecutive Valley Division title.
The Yellow Jackets are back in action on Tuesday when they take on Tippecanoe at home at 6:45 p.m.
Reach sports writer / assistant editor Ryan Harless at 937-538-4651 or follow @RyanHarless_ on X (formerly Twitter).
