VOLLEYBALL Ridge hands Springfield its first ICL loss

Senior Dariana Casado had nine kills and three aces.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
MINERAL RIDGE -- In just over an hour's time, Dariana Casado cried (just a little), frowned (not often), smiled (often) and cheered (quite often).
The Mineral Ridge High senior also helped hand visiting Springfield its first Inter-County League loss Thursday, 15-6, 15-9.
"We feel like this is a new beginning to our season," Casado, who had nine kills, three aces and three blocks, said. "Now we know how good we can play, and there's no reason we shouldn't play this way from now on."
The Tigers (14-4, 9-1) won the first meeting between the teams in three sets and entered the match needing just one win to clinch a tie with Western Reserve for the league title.
Springfield won league titles in 1999 and 2000, and if the Tigers win their last two matches, they'll win the ICL outright.
"We just couldn't get into our offense tonight," Springfield coach Bill Knight said.
"We couldn't pass the ball, and Mineral Ridge did a nice job against us."
Senior Night
It was Senior Night -- which is why Casado cried -- and good things can happen when it's your last home game.
"It was sad seeing all the fans on our home court for the last time," Casado, who had a cheering section of 10 family members, said. "We've had a shaky season, but this was a great win. Hopefully this will help us during tournaments."
Mineral Ridge senior Jenna Hinks had an excellent match, leading the Rams with seven points, four aces, six kills, seven blocks and two assists. Senior Carrie Wilson added 18 assists.
"Our team is sort of a Jekyll and Hyde, but tonight we played well," Rams coach Jennifer Staunton said. "With most of our losses, we don't feel like teams beat us as much as we beat ourselves."
Carrie Davis led Springfield with four points and seven kills. Meghan Louttit added 12 assists and one ace.
The teams are in different brackets for the Division III tournament and would not meet again until the district final.
"Hopefully, we'll see each other again," Knight said.
scalzo@vindy.com