Tiger Spikers Fall In Sectional Championship
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
KENDALLVILLE - A sport in which momentum is key, DeKalb's varsity volleyball team stole it from Warsaw Saturday night, and then the Barons made off with the sectional championship.
The best-of-five series knotted at one game each in the championship match of the East Noble Sectional, DeKalb trailed the Tigers 18-15 but scored the game's final six points with sophomore Rachelle Grogg serving.
That turnaround went a long way in DeKalb edging Warsaw 21-16, 15-21, 21-18, 21-19.
Asked the difference in the game, Warsaw coach Doug West sat down, spoke very softly.
"Their serving and their play in transition," West said of what propelled the Barons to victory. "They were able to hit with more pace and keep us out of system. That one rotation they reeled off six points. That's a strategy in volleyball, gain momentum through a string of points. That hurt us."
The Tigers, who advanced by downing Carroll 21-14, 21-12, 21-18 in the morning semifinal, finish their season at 20-14.
DeKalb, which defeated Columbia City in a three-game semifinal match, improved to 23-11 and will play Lafayette Jeff (25-11) in the Huntington North Regional. Fort Wayne Northrop (29-7) and Muncie Central (35-1) make up the rest of the regional field.
"We knew DeKalb was a good team," West said. "We're a good team, too. It was the kind of match I thought it'd be, it was close. We wanted it to come out our way in the end, but I'm very proud of these girls."
A game that was tied seven times, Warsaw stayed right with the Barons in the fourth game, trailing 20-19 after scoring a defensive point with Baron Jackie Recker, younger sister of basketball star Luke Recker, serving.
DeKalb scored the championship-winning point with Warsaw's Grace Beck serving, a ball that went back and forth before one official ruled it out of bounds in the Barons' favor. With DeKalb's players and fans in a frenzied celebration, it appeared as if another official tried to rule the ball went off a DeKalb player's hand, which would have tied the game and given Warsaw another life.
Through both matches Saturday, senior Abby Ahlersmeyer tallied 58 assists for Warsaw, while Michelle DeGeeter led in kills with 25 and Rebekah Reichard in service points with 25 and digs with 23. Cynthia Park led the team in blocks with seven.
DEKALB DEF. WARSAW 21-15, 15-21, 21-18, 21-19 (championship)
WARSAW DEF. CARROLL 21-14, 21-12, 21-18 (semifinal)
(Warsaw tournament stats)
Kills - Michelle DeGeeter 25, Nicole DeFord 21, Krystan Klotz 17, Rebekah Reichard 13, Cynthia Park 6, Abby Ahlersmeyer 1
Assists - Ahlersmeyer 58, Reichard 7, Cheyenne Runnells 1, Jessica Hollar 1, DeGeeter 1
Service points - Reichard 24, Grace Beck 16, Ahlersmeyer 8, DeFord 7, Klotz 6, Kelsey Kline 6, DeGeeter 4, Cassie Harding 3
Digs - Reichard 23, Klotz 19, Beck 15, DeGeeter 14, Runnells 13, Ahlersmeyer 10, Harding 9, DeFord 9, Kline 1, Park 1
Blocks - Park 7, DeGeeter 4, Reichard 3, Klotz 1 [[In-content Ad]]
KENDALLVILLE - A sport in which momentum is key, DeKalb's varsity volleyball team stole it from Warsaw Saturday night, and then the Barons made off with the sectional championship.
The best-of-five series knotted at one game each in the championship match of the East Noble Sectional, DeKalb trailed the Tigers 18-15 but scored the game's final six points with sophomore Rachelle Grogg serving.
That turnaround went a long way in DeKalb edging Warsaw 21-16, 15-21, 21-18, 21-19.
Asked the difference in the game, Warsaw coach Doug West sat down, spoke very softly.
"Their serving and their play in transition," West said of what propelled the Barons to victory. "They were able to hit with more pace and keep us out of system. That one rotation they reeled off six points. That's a strategy in volleyball, gain momentum through a string of points. That hurt us."
The Tigers, who advanced by downing Carroll 21-14, 21-12, 21-18 in the morning semifinal, finish their season at 20-14.
DeKalb, which defeated Columbia City in a three-game semifinal match, improved to 23-11 and will play Lafayette Jeff (25-11) in the Huntington North Regional. Fort Wayne Northrop (29-7) and Muncie Central (35-1) make up the rest of the regional field.
"We knew DeKalb was a good team," West said. "We're a good team, too. It was the kind of match I thought it'd be, it was close. We wanted it to come out our way in the end, but I'm very proud of these girls."
A game that was tied seven times, Warsaw stayed right with the Barons in the fourth game, trailing 20-19 after scoring a defensive point with Baron Jackie Recker, younger sister of basketball star Luke Recker, serving.
DeKalb scored the championship-winning point with Warsaw's Grace Beck serving, a ball that went back and forth before one official ruled it out of bounds in the Barons' favor. With DeKalb's players and fans in a frenzied celebration, it appeared as if another official tried to rule the ball went off a DeKalb player's hand, which would have tied the game and given Warsaw another life.
Through both matches Saturday, senior Abby Ahlersmeyer tallied 58 assists for Warsaw, while Michelle DeGeeter led in kills with 25 and Rebekah Reichard in service points with 25 and digs with 23. Cynthia Park led the team in blocks with seven.
DEKALB DEF. WARSAW 21-15, 15-21, 21-18, 21-19 (championship)
WARSAW DEF. CARROLL 21-14, 21-12, 21-18 (semifinal)
(Warsaw tournament stats)
Kills - Michelle DeGeeter 25, Nicole DeFord 21, Krystan Klotz 17, Rebekah Reichard 13, Cynthia Park 6, Abby Ahlersmeyer 1
Assists - Ahlersmeyer 58, Reichard 7, Cheyenne Runnells 1, Jessica Hollar 1, DeGeeter 1
Service points - Reichard 24, Grace Beck 16, Ahlersmeyer 8, DeFord 7, Klotz 6, Kelsey Kline 6, DeGeeter 4, Cassie Harding 3
Digs - Reichard 23, Klotz 19, Beck 15, DeGeeter 14, Runnells 13, Ahlersmeyer 10, Harding 9, DeFord 9, Kline 1, Park 1
Blocks - Park 7, DeGeeter 4, Reichard 3, Klotz 1 [[In-content Ad]]