2011 Girls Division II Semifinals
Archbishop Alter, Bishop Hartley advance to final
Archbishop Alter will go for their fourth state title after knocking off second ranked Mansfield Madison 24-26, 25-21, 25-17, 25-23. The Knights toppled top rated unbeaten Wyoming in a five game regional semifinal last Saturday.
Alter went all the way in their first three final four appearances. They were runner-up in 2008, and fell to state champion Lake Catholic in a five-game state semifinal last year.
Penn State recruit Megan Courtney led Alter with 22 kills, and 19 digs. She also put up 19 assists. Sophomore setter Mary Rodehaver led with 22 assists. The Knights were somewhat successful in containing Madison star Dakia Sellers, but the 5’6” middle with a 33-inch vertical still recorded 11 kills and two solo blocks. Three of those kills came in game two when the Rams rallied from 20-22.
Bishop Hartley, making their fourth state appearance in five years, prevailed over Beaumont 22-25, 29-27, 25-22, 25-22 in the first Division II semifinal match on Thursday. Beaumont had never been to state before, and until two weeks ago they'd never gotten out of their district. Beaumont Coach Pat Royer said experience and nerves might have been a factor, although his team didn’t appear nervous.
Beaumont actually outplayed Hartley in key attack categories, leading in kills and kill efficiency while making one less hitting error. Unlike football, where it is not uncommon for a team to lose despite having more yards, first downs and/or winning time of possession, it is very rare to see a volleyball team with an advantage in attack stats lose.
Alas for Beaumont, they committed nine service errors to Hartley’s two, and Hartley enjoyed a 6-4 advantage in aces. Hartley scored at least five points more via mistakes than Beaumont in the last three sets.
Both teams hail from strong leagues. Hartley won the Central Catholic League outright with a 9-1 mark, losing only to St. Francis DeSales. The Hawks have won or shared the league crown four of the last five years and have garnered seven straight district titles. Four CCL teams made regionals this year with Division III Bishop Ready joining Hartley at state.
Beaumont, which finished fourth in the North Coast League Blue Division behind Walsh Jesuit, Padua Franciscan and Lake Catholic, beat Lake Catholic in the regional final. Padua and Lake Catholic have won the past three Division II state titles.
The Blue Streaks reached the state level with a starting lineup of one senior, three juniors and three sophomores.
Game two featured 13 ties and 9 lead changes, and winning it was key for Hartley. Senior defensive specialist Emily Bommer sealed the win with an ace.
Brooke Betts and Molly Shonk combined for 35 kills to pace Hartley. Shonk contributed 18 digs to the Hawks’ stellar defensive effort which was paced by libero Lauren Hurley who dug up 21 balls.
Lauren Youngblood led Beaumont with 16 kills and University of South Florida recruit Midori Harrison added 13. Sophomore outside/middle Molly Davet and junior libero Mairin Jerse combined for 43 digs.
Archbishop Alter will go for their fourth state title after knocking off second ranked Mansfield Madison 24-26, 25-21, 25-17, 25-23. The Knights toppled top rated unbeaten Wyoming in a five game regional semifinal last Saturday.
Alter went all the way in their first three final four appearances. They were runner-up in 2008, and fell to state champion Lake Catholic in a five-game state semifinal last year.
Penn State recruit Megan Courtney led Alter with 22 kills, and 19 digs. She also put up 19 assists. Sophomore setter Mary Rodehaver led with 22 assists. The Knights were somewhat successful in containing Madison star Dakia Sellers, but the 5’6” middle with a 33-inch vertical still recorded 11 kills and two solo blocks. Three of those kills came in game two when the Rams rallied from 20-22.
Bishop Hartley, making their fourth state appearance in five years, prevailed over Beaumont 22-25, 29-27, 25-22, 25-22 in the first Division II semifinal match on Thursday. Beaumont had never been to state before, and until two weeks ago they'd never gotten out of their district. Beaumont Coach Pat Royer said experience and nerves might have been a factor, although his team didn’t appear nervous.
Beaumont actually outplayed Hartley in key attack categories, leading in kills and kill efficiency while making one less hitting error. Unlike football, where it is not uncommon for a team to lose despite having more yards, first downs and/or winning time of possession, it is very rare to see a volleyball team with an advantage in attack stats lose.
Alas for Beaumont, they committed nine service errors to Hartley’s two, and Hartley enjoyed a 6-4 advantage in aces. Hartley scored at least five points more via mistakes than Beaumont in the last three sets.
Both teams hail from strong leagues. Hartley won the Central Catholic League outright with a 9-1 mark, losing only to St. Francis DeSales. The Hawks have won or shared the league crown four of the last five years and have garnered seven straight district titles. Four CCL teams made regionals this year with Division III Bishop Ready joining Hartley at state.
Beaumont, which finished fourth in the North Coast League Blue Division behind Walsh Jesuit, Padua Franciscan and Lake Catholic, beat Lake Catholic in the regional final. Padua and Lake Catholic have won the past three Division II state titles.
The Blue Streaks reached the state level with a starting lineup of one senior, three juniors and three sophomores.
Game two featured 13 ties and 9 lead changes, and winning it was key for Hartley. Senior defensive specialist Emily Bommer sealed the win with an ace.
Brooke Betts and Molly Shonk combined for 35 kills to pace Hartley. Shonk contributed 18 digs to the Hawks’ stellar defensive effort which was paced by libero Lauren Hurley who dug up 21 balls.
Lauren Youngblood led Beaumont with 16 kills and University of South Florida recruit Midori Harrison added 13. Sophomore outside/middle Molly Davet and junior libero Mairin Jerse combined for 43 digs.
posted by ohiohsvbfan at 12:04 AM
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