SVC Boardman clinches tie for crown

The Spartans swept the regular season series with Fitch.
By BRIAN RICHESSON
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
BOARDMAN -- Jen Feret could barely believe her eyes. The result nearly floored her.
"When the ball stayed in, I thought I was going to pass out," said Feret, a senior on the Boardman High volleyball team. "I was ready to drop to the floor."
After watching junior Liz Beard's ace seal Boardman's 8-15, 16-14, 16-14 victory over Austintown Fitch, Feret joined in the wild celebration that began Thursday on the Spartans' floor.
"There was no way we were going down without a fight," said Feret, tears streaming down her face. "We were ready."
Title picture
The Spartans (16-2, 6-0) rallied for a victory that clinched a tie for their first Steel Valley Conference crown since 1994. They can win it outright by beating Warren Harding or Ursuline next week.
"This definitely makes a statement that we can play with most of the teams in the state," Boardman coach Ron Slipkasky said.
The play that ended the 1-hour, 45-minute match, in which Ohio State coach Jim Tressel attended, was an ace by Beard that dropped along the right side.
"I just wanted to hit it hard over the net. I was able to do that," said Beard, whose tip minutes earlier gave Boardman a 15-14 lead. "It just tricked them."
Boardman swept the regular season series with Fitch, winning 15-11, 15-8 on Sept. 17 in Austintown. It was a victory that many Boardman players believed to be the highlight of their season.
Until Thursday.
"I've been waiting for this for so long. I knew we could beat them," said Feret, referring to the SVC title picture. "Every day I looked up at that wall [Boardman's list of SVC volleyball titles]."
Feret was one of four Spartans who contributed to the victory. Also honored on Senior Night were Jen Hlebovy, Lauren Craig and Claire Selius.
Hlebovy had a career night with 39 kills, seven points and 25 digs. Craig had 18 kills, one point and two digs, while Selius added 10 kills, one point and 20 digs and Feret 15 kills, seven points and 10 digs.
"Jen Hlebovy played very consistent all night long," Slipkasky said. "When we needed the plays, someone stepped up."
Early lead
Appearing poised to draw even with Boardman this season, the Falcons took control with the first-game victory.
"We didn't communicate that well in the first game," Slipkasky said.
Boardman, however, came right back, taking a 6-1 lead in Game 2 and then holding off Fitch's furious rally. The Spartans broke away from a 14-14 tie with kills from Hlebovy and Craig, respectively.
Boardman came from behind in Game 3, using eight straight points from junior Jaclyn Corroto to turn an 8-3 deficit into an 11-8 lead. Corroto finished with 16 points, 45 assists and eight digs.
"When the game was on the line, they served the ball better," Fitch coach Tom Case said.
The teams then tied at 12, 13 and 14 -- Fitch held its last lead at 14-13 -- before Beard's final two plays created the winning points.
Falcon performers
Fitch (12-4, 5-2) was led by Rachel Terzak with 10 points, 13 kills, one block and 19 digs, while Maggie Case had nine points, 18 kills, five blocks and 40 digs. Katie McDermott added eight points, eight kills, 13 blocks and 14 digs, while Stacie Mang had 47 assists and Jenn Drabison 13 blocks.
"We have three matches on Saturday we have to get ready for," Tom Case said. "We have to put this behind us, even if it won't be easy."
The Boardman-Fitch chapter may not be closed. Both schools will play in the Division I district tournament at Stow and may meet again, something Case reminded his team of afterward.
"If we play again," Feret said, "we'll be ready for them."
richesson@vindy.com