NORTH ROBINSON (Crawford County Now) — The Battle of Route 602 — and along with it the East Division volleyball championship — belongs to Buckeye Central.
After spotting Colonel Crawford a one-set lead at 22-25, the Buckettes won three straight, 25-20, 25-22, 26-24, Tuesday night inside a jam-packed Mac Morrison Gymnasium.
The victory earns BC (11-1, 18-3) the right to host West Division champion Tiffin Calvert (12-0, 20-0) on Thursday for the league crown. The Senecas are defending state champions and No. 1 in the Division VII Ohio High School Volleyball Coaches Association poll.
Colonel Crawford (9-3, 16-5) hosts Mohawk (10-2, 18-3) in the third-place N10 game.
“What a tremendous way to end our season and get ready for tournaments,” Buckeye Central head coach Paige Caudill said. “Crawford brings their best and their gym and our kids came out to help us along.”
Set one began well for the Lady Eagles, as they came back from an early 7-2 deficit to tie it at 10-10, one of 5 ties in the set. Emmi Powers and Reese Redman led Colonel Crawford scoring, along with an ace from Sophia Gray.
Both teams battled before the hosts closed on an 8-5 run.
“It was a phenomenal atmosphere. We were able to control that excitement and be composed, you’re using that energy without it depleting you,” Caudill said.
That composure worked as BC won set 2 after a strong start. Three aces from Milania Chamberlain and a Megan Siefert kill set the tone. Crawford fought back tying it at 10, 11 and 13.
A Mayzie Hanlon ace proved pivotal as Buckeye held a 23-19 lead before Chamberlain’s spike ended the set. Set 3 also featured a great dig by Joslynn Hensley, along with a kill, leading to 5 straight BC points.
“In that third set we decided where that ball was going to go and we didn’t question. We felt the flow of the game. In the fourth we fell out of that a little bit and struggled with our serve-receive,” Caudill said.
There were 11 ties in the fourth set. Siefert put it away for a 26-24 victory and a berth in the conference championship.
“We definitely had our opportunities to execute. But we had too many moments where we played timid and didn’t play to win,” Lady Eagles head coach Jaime Valentine said.
“We struggled offensively tonight. Some of the key hitters that typically put away balls for us weren’t really finding openings and that hurts. They did a great job of blocking and that got into our heads a little bit.”
Emma Keller had several blocks and kills. Harper Kantzer, Ella Daniel and Hanlon added points for the Buckettes.
“We have to learn how to play on the big stage. If we can’t win those moments it’s going to be a struggle,” Valentine said. “We play Mohawk on Thursday and they’re going to be tough too. We knew coming into this week it would be a tough match, regardless of who played.
“You have to take care of the opponent that’s right in front of you and we just didn’t do that tonight.”
Redman, Alaina Parr, Powers and Saylor Holt led the Lady Eagles attack.
For Buckeye Central, Wednesday brings a day of preparation for a state-level opponent.
“I’m excited to see where we’re at against a team like that. Let’s go out and see. Let’s see what adjustments we have to make, and let’s see if we can find the points where we need to find them,” Caudill said.
“We’ve grown up this year. Our senior (Keller) has grown into a role where we are depending on her and she’s coming through at the net. We’ve got to be more consistent and say, ‘When so-and-so is struggling, I have to pick up my game.'”
Colonel Crawford honored its four seniors, Lauren Roberts, Lila Plesac, Sydney Rayborn and Hadley Davis, along with Keller, prior to the match.
The Buckette JVs made it a sweep, 25-19, 25-11.