PREP VOLLEYBALL Fitch rallies in three sets to win Hubbard Classic

Hubbard won the opening game before falling to the Falcons; Boardman finished third.
By MARK W. MILLER
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
HUBBARD -- It took three hard fought games for the Fitch High School volleyball team to capture the championship in the Hubbard Classic Saturday at Hubbard High School.
The Falcons lost the opener to Hubbard, 15-9, then swept the Eagles, 15-11, 15-3.
Maggie Case triggered the attack with 12 points, 13 kills, three blocks, 23 digs and an ace.
It was the fourth straight year that the Falcons (9-3) won the crown.
"Hubbard beat us in a scrimmage earlier in the season," Fitch coach Tom Case said. "They came into the tournament unbeaten. They are a very sound, fundamental team."
The Falcons' Jessica DiCarlo scored nine points, with five kills, six blocks and 20 digs. Katie McDermott had seven points, nine kills, seven blocks and 10 digs.
The Eagles (13-1) were led by Katy Jo Mroski with 21 kills, six aces and 19 digs. Amanda Lingenfelter had 27 digs.
"It was a total team effort and it's hard to just pick anyone individual out because we play well together," said assistant coach Jeremy Porter, who was filling in for coach Chuck Montgomery who was attending his daughter's wedding. "Fitch is always one of the top teams in the area and I believe they have a chance to go a long way in the tournament. They do all facets of the game real well.
"Most of our girls and Fitch played Junior Olympic volleyball last spring. They are friends and get along well together. Last year, we won the first game and then dropped two in losing the title to Fitch."
Hubbard's road: The Eagles opened the tournament with a 15-7, 15-1 victory over Mineral Ridge, then topped Avon Lake 15-9, 15-13.
Avon Lake, in the second contest, built a 13-8 lead. Behind the serving of Amy Falhamer, the Eagles battled back to tie the score at 13.
Mroski spiked the ball for a 14-13 lead and then tipped the ball for the deciding point.
"Avon Lake's setter and middle hitter are good players and we had some trouble with their serves," Porter said.
Falcons' road: Fitch worked its way into the championship with a 15-4, 15-6 win over Strongsville and a 15-5, 15-0 decision over Boardman.
The Falcons, who had beaten Boardman 15-7, 15-11 on Tuesday, broke out to a 10-0 lead in the first game with Stacie Mang scoring seven points, with 14 assists, 10 digs, one block and two aces.
Maggie Case added six points, 10 digs, seven kills and two blocks. Katie McDermott had five points, two kills, 12 blocks and five digs.
Other games: In other matches, Avon Lake topped Southeast 15-11, 15-4; Southeast turned back Mineral Ridge 15-5, 15-5; Indian Creek downed Strongsville 15-8, 14-16, 15-6; Boardman defeated Avon Lake 15-4, 5-15, 15-10 for third place; Indian Creek beat Southeast 15-6, 15-10 for fifth place; and Strongsville topped Mineral Ridge 15-9, 15-7 for seventh place.
The all-tournament team, chosen by the eight coaches, includes Fitch's Case, DiCarlo and Ashlee Lemke; Boardman's Mara Capraruolo; Hubbard's Mroski; Indian Creek's Liz Bottorf; Avon Lake's Molly Cumence; and Strongsville's Janelle McDonald.