United to play Lisbon for crown

The Golden Eagles eliminated top-seeded Springfield in two games.
By JOHN BUTERA
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
SALEM -- Jumping out to big leads in both games, the United High volleyball team held off two Springfield rallies for a 15-13, 15-13 victory in a Division III district semifinal Monday at Salem High School.
United, the fourth seed, will play Tri-County League rival Lisbon in the championship match Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
Second-seeded Lisbon eliminated St. Thomas, 15-1, 15-10, on Monday.
The Eagles jumped out to leads of 9-0 and 11-1 in the first game against the top-seeded Tigers before going six possessions without a score.
During that time, Springfield picked away at the lead. By scoring at least one point on six of its next seven tries, Springfield cut the gap to 11-9.
"I don't know how to explain what happened when we got the big lead, but I know our girls never think it's over until we get the 15th point," United coach Billina Donaldson said. "Basically, I don't think we were playing bad, but Springfield is a spirited, talented team, and it wasn't so much us letting up but them coming back."
Comeback: United regrouped to lead 13-9, but behind a spike by Carrie Davis, Springfield pulled to within 13-12 before United eked out the victory.
"It was hard after digging ourselves that hole, and then we made stupid mistakes," said Springfield senior Maggie Marsh, who paced her team with eight kills.
"Don't get me wrong, United is a good team and they'll go far," she said, "but I still think we beat ourselves."
Round two: In the second game, United jumped ahead 6-0. Springfield, however, cut the gap to 9-6 and then came up with six straight points to lead the defending district champs 12-9.
Nice play on the front line from Brooke Tabaka and Davis keyed the Springfield rally. The Tigers led 13-11, but the Eagles scored the final four points of the game and won when Krista Reeder made an outstanding spike.
"We had trouble digging ourselves out of a hole in the first game, but the second game we were up 12-9 and they came back," Springfield coach Bill Knight said. "These girls still ended up 19-5, and that's not too bad."
Davis had six kills and two blocks for the Tigers, while Jessica Huda added nine points and 16 assists and Meghan Wood four kills.
For United, Kelly Powell had three blocks, while Tonya Beaumont recorded 24 assists and 39 sets, Mandy Clapsaddle eight kills and Angie Willmarth 12 digs.