Sat Nov 21 2009
By MIKE VERNOT
cnsports@crescent-news.com
ELIDA — Antwerp had high hopes coming into tonight’s game against Columbus Grove that if they could maintain the momentum from districts, they had a shot a regional final crown. Unfortunately, that didn’t translate on the court and Columbus Grove (25-2) rolled on with a three set win 27-25, 25-18, 25-18.
“We totally lost our confidence,” explained Archer head coach Amy Hammer. “Last week in districts we played with total confidence, we were ready for any challenge but tonight we just kept backing down rather than meeting them head on.”
The Bulldog’s head coach Kelly Lepley also noticed her team’s persistence.
“It was a hard fought game, but my girls just didn’t back down,” she commented. “I am just so impressed with how they played today.”
Lepley is in just her first year of coaching at Columbus Grove and knows that to have a season like her team has had is often rare.
“It’s unbelievable,” she retorted. “I don’t know too many other first year head coaches who have had this opportunity. I’m so honored and feel so blessed to be here right now.”
For the Archers (19-7), the loss may have come as much from their own hands as from the Bulldogs.
“This was self inflicted,” related Hammer. “I told them going into the game that the focus was containing Vorst and I think we did a good job of that. But we hurt ourselves by not hitting the ball in the court and then we got timid and started tipping the ball everywhere.”
Hammer felt that despite the miscues, her team was very close to being in all three games.
“Even though we weren’t playing very well, we were still in the game,” she added. “If we had just started playing our game we might have been fine but we just never turned the corner.”
One major reason for that may be the Bulldogs senior class.
“The seniors are the glue that holds us together,” commented Lepley. “They have the experience, the know how, the talent and when they want something they work together and believe in each other.”
From a players perspective, Columbus Grove senior Jena Diller relates last year’s senior class to this year.
“Last year we had a really good group of seniors and it was hard losing early,” she explained. “This year as seniors we were determined to get where we are now, and even farther. We have been working for at least four years, probably longer than that and this is it for us.”
Kelsey Bashore powered the Archer’s offense and defense with 10 digs, 41-41 setting, six assists, 37-37 hitting and added 15 kills.
For Hammer and Antwerp the season ends on a down note but there were a lot of positives.
“A lot of teams would love to have the kind of record we have,” explained Hammer. “Obviously this is not what we wanted but Grove got it done tonight.”
Columbus Grove will face the winner of the earlier game which featured a victory by Hopewell-Loudon (25-1) over Kalida (17-7) in three sets 25-8, 25-12, 25-19.
“We knew coming in that they were a very good team and we didn’t do anything to really slow them down,” explained Kalida head coach Jeremy Stober. “Hopewell did an excellent job tonight with everything we gave them and they handled it very well. We have seen teams like this and we played with them but we didn’t execute and that’s the difference.”
Emily Turnwald led the way for Kalida with five kills and even assists.
Lepley realizes that Hopewell-Loudon is a strong team but still is able to remain optimistic.
“My motto is if you are in it you can win it,” she explained. “No team is unstoppable. We’ve learned lessons during the season of what not to do and I don’t expect the girls to do anything but their best.”
The regional final will kick off at noon on Saturday at Elida Field House with the winner advancing to the state tournament in Dayton.
At Elida
Hopewell-Loudon def. Kalida, 25-8, 25-12, 25-19
Kalida (17-7) - Julia Fuerst 6 kills; Emily Turnwald 5 kills, 7 assists; Trisha Horstman 4 kills.
Hopewell-Loudon (25-1) - No stats.
At Elida
Columbus Grove def. Antwerp, 27-25, 25-18, 25-18
Antwerp (19-7) - Ashlee Smith 14-14 serving, 8-8 hitting; Megan Koppenhofer 17 digs, 17-19 serve receive, 22-24 hitting, 5 kills; Darcie Reinhart 10 digs, 16-16 serve receive; Kelsey Bashore 10 digs, 41-41 setting, 6 assists, 37-37 hitting, 15 kills; Loni Walk 49-49 setting, 14 assists.
Columbus Grove (25-2) - No stats.
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