Fitch loses, but prospects are bright

By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
HUDSON -- Once the disappointment from Thursday's loss wears off, the Austintown Fitch High volleyball team will begin dreaming about next year.
They should be pleasant dreams.
Fitch lost to Mentor 15-12, 15-9 in the Division I regional semifinal at Hudson High School, but Fitch loses just one starter -- senior Katie McDermott.
The Falcons return three starters from last year's state tournament team, and next year's starting lineup will have more seniors than a Bob Evans restaurant at breakfast time.
"It'll be fun," Fitch coach Tom Case said. "I thanked this year's seniors for their effort and I briefly spoke to the underclassmen. I asked them, 'What are you going to do from here? Are you willing to do what it takes now, or are you going to wait until next season?' "
Had good start
Fitch (20-5), which beat Mentor in last year's regional final, got off to a good start in Thursday's game, taking a 9-2 lead in the first set. But Mentor answered with an 8-1 run to tie the game and Fitch never recovered.
The Falcons took leads of 3-0 and 6-4 to start the second set. But Mentor went on a 9-0 run to end effectively the match.
"I'm thrilled, very thrilled," Mentor coach Richard Woodman said. "Before the match, the biggest thing that worried me was their experience."
Junior Maggie Case -- arguably the area's best player returning -- led Fitch with five points, 12 kills and 14 digs. Junior Rachel Terzak had six points, five kills and four digs and junior Stacie Mang had three points, four digs and 19 assists.
Were starters last year
All three started for last year's team, which lost in the state semifinal to eventual state champion Cincinnati St. Ursula.
McDermott added four points, four kills, two blocks, a dig and an ace for Fitch.
Mentor sophomore Megan Skouby, who is 6-foot-6, had 13 kills and four blocks for the Cardinals (20-7). Junior Amanda Zieske had four kills and senior Ashley Janezic added 23 assists.
"When you have a player who's 6-6, that's quite an asset," Woodman said. "She can create a lot of problems."
In Federal League
The Falcons will play in the Federal League next season, which will mean a more competitive schedule -- and, hopefully, a better tournament team.
"We're going to have to play at a level consistently higher than we faced in the Steel Valley," Case said.
It will also be Case's final season at Fitch -- he plans to retire after next year.
"It'll be a special team," said Case. "But to me, they're all special."
scalzo@vindy.com