STATE VOLLEYBALL Hunkus glows, but Girard victim of Sidney Lehman's comeback

By KIM BYRUM SKINNER
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
FAIRBORN -- Its back firmly against the wall, the Sidney Lehman Catholic High School volleyball team finally solved the match-long puzzle that was Girard's sensational Tealle Hunkus.
But Hunkus' history-making performance Friday wasn't enough against experienced and well-rounded Lehman, whose multi-angle offense and never-say-die defense registered a come-from-behind 9-15, 15-9, 15-7 win, ending the superstar's season one match shy of her goal.
"She's probably the best player we've seen all year," Cavaliers coach Greg Snipes marveled. "If not, she definitely played her best against us."
Girard's 6-foot-1 senior go-to gal smacked a match-high 29 kills on an amazing 87 attempts in the Division III state volleyball semifinal at Wright State University's Ervin J. Nutter Center, setting the state career record while moving into elite Ohio company as one of only four players to surpass the 1,000-kill plateau.
The pony-tailed workaholic also threw in a match-high 19 digs, just for good measure.
Claret-like status
"Our offense is geared toward getting her the ball, and we make no bones about it," said Girard coach Phil Walters, whose Indians made their first Final Four appearance and finished 25-4. "This sport is a lot like Ohio State football. If you have Maurice Clarett in your backfield, you run him."
Classy to the end, the Duke-University bound Hunkus refused to shed tears, extending a congratulatory handshake to Snipes during a post-match interview while rallying him to bring home the title.
"It's been awesome -- awesome," Hunkus said between sips of water. "We came out here with no idea what to expect and we left it all on the floor. I've had some great memories here and I'll never forget them.
"I give [the Cavaliers] credit," she added. "They're a great team. I was hitting [back-row attack] balls long, they made adjustments, and just answered. Give them credit. They're a great team."
Making its fifth state appearance and fourth in Snipes' seven years, Lehman (23-6) got 10 or more kills from three different attackers, including a team-high 12 from senior Amy Edwards.
The Cavaliers out-hit the Indians, 41-36, but mid-match defensive adjustments proved key.
"Everybody just started going to the same spot and watching and keying on Hunkus," Snipes said of the two-time All-Ohio pick. "We just finally decided to line up on her -- key on and worry about her --because she was getting 95 percent of the sets, anyway."
But despite ample state experience and a roster seven seniors strong, veteran Lehman nearly caved under Hunkus' constant attack.
Saving the day was the Cavaliers' defense, which eventually drained the spring from the standout's legs.
"You'd like to think that [a multiple attack beats a one-woman show], but that girl nearly proved me wrong," Snipes said of Hunkus, who's used a 25-inch vertical jump this season to post match highs of 35 kills (three games) and 33 kills (two games).
"You definitely want to be a well-balanced team, because if someone's down, someone else right next to them can step it up. It's definitely nice to have a few options."
Today, Lehman faces Huron (26-2), a 15-13, 15-5 winner over Zoarville Tuscarawas Valley (26-2).
Great memories
"I have memories here I'll never, ever forget," added Hunkus, who fed off sophomore setter Erin Stevens' 32 assists.
Unusually stoic in the aftermath, injured teammate Stephanie Scarnecchia succumbed to emotion when asked to reflect on Girard's first state berth.
"It was our goal all season to get here, and we pulled out the big win in the regional finals," said Scarnecchia, who was sidelined by an ACL tear in the Indians' win over Rocky River Lutheran West.
"We were down 11-2 and 12-5 in that third game. We worked hard together all season," Scarnecchia said.
"It was a total team effort. We've all been there for each other. Teamwork was the difference for us this year."
Ever humble, Hunkus agreed.
"I can't say enough about this team -- one in a million," she said. "These girls -- they're unbelievable. It takes six people out there, and I can't put into words how much I love this team. I'll never forget them."