Friday, October 25, 2002
The Tigers lost in the Div. III district final in three games.
By MARK W. MILLER
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
SALEM -- The last time Streetsboro High won a district volleyball championship was in 1978. Springfield was playing for a district title for the first time in 10 years.
So it seemed right that it took three games for the Rockets to eliminate Springfield for the Division III district title Thursday in John A. Cabas Gymnasium.
Third-seeded Springfield (19-6) won the first game 15-6, but Streetsboro (16-10 and unseeded) won 15-13 and 15-8 to earn a berth for next week's regional at Barberton.
"We wanted to jump right out at the start and play our offense," said Springfield coach Bill Knight.
Megan Louttit got the Tigers off to a fast start as she served 10 straight points for a 10-1 lead.
Rockets make early run
Streetsboro open the second contest with a 6-0 run and built a 9-2 margin, before the Tigers fought back until they tied it at 10 on Jessica Huda's serve.
With the score tied at 13, Sarah Soltes' service point gave the Rockets the lead and Erin Plaso served the deciding point.
"The girls were hustling in the first game and were frustrated that they couldn't get it going," said Streetsboro coach Bill Smerglia.
"In the second game they were more relaxed, started making plays and were more determined about what they were doing."
Springfield pulled out to 4-0 lead in the third game, but Streetsboro answered with six straight points. The Tigers again went out in front 7-6, but it would be the last time they would lead as Streetsboro moved out 10-7. After Springfield scored its last point of the match, the Rockets went on a 5-0 run.
"We kept hitting at them [Streetsboro] and they just kept digging it out," said Knight.
Leading the way
Loutitt sparked the Tigers with 14 points and 16 assists. Lindsay Johnson had nine kills and 10 blocks, while Clarisse scored eight points and Carrie Davis 11 kills.
Erin Plaso paced Streetsboro with 10 points, two aces and 15 assists. Missy Bennett had 11 digs, three aces and eight kills. Stephanie DiGiovanni had 22 digs and eight kills. Mandy DiChiro had five blocks.