REGIONAL VOLLEYBALL One step away from state

Crestview stayed unbeaten with a three-set victory over Girard.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
BARBERTON -- Shortly after the Crestview High volleyball team began practicing on Aug. 9, Coach Alisha Auer detected a spark that indicated a strong chance for success.
"We had a pretty tough preseason," Auer said, "and we had our ups and downs. But after a couple of scrimmages, I could tell that when we were up, the chance for something special was there."
The Rebels are more than special, improving to 25-0 Thursday with a three-set victory over Girard, 25-17, 25-19, 25-18, in the Division III regional tournament at Barberton High.
Saturday at 2 p.m., the Tri-County League champions will take on Orrville (26-1), the defending state champions, for a trip to Dayton.
Strong offense
"They have a very strong offense," Girard (21-6) coach Phil Walters said. "They are among the best teams we faced this year. They really settled into their offense and executed well.
"We tried to slow the tempo of the game, but it didn't work out," Walters said. "Tricia Richards is dominant. She should be all-state."
Richards, the district player of the year, made 19 kills.
"All year, she's been our go-to player," said Auer, who played on three regional teams for Crestview in the early '90s. "She jumps well, she blocks well and being left-handed gives her an advantage."
Auer said the key to the Rebels' success has been an active roster.
"All year long, I've had 11 players that are so interchangeable," Auer said. "It's been hard as a coach to pick which ones should start. It's nice to have 11 that I can put on the court."
Senior libero Caitlin Crowell made 16 digs for the Rebels, while senior Rachel Parker had three blocks, sophomore Elyse Mongillo made 41 assists and sophomore Rachell Storm scored 10 points with three aces.
"Sometimes your game is there and sometimes it's not," Walters said. "I think we struggled a little bit today."
Fighting back
The Indians, who finished second in the Trumbull Athletic Conference to Hubbard, jumped out to a 12-7 lead in the first game, then watched the Rebels surge.
"That was probably nerves on their part," Walters said. "This is the first time [in years] they've been here."
The Rebels led comfortably for most of the second and third matches.
"Injuries made this year real difficult," said Walters, who coached the Indians to a state berth two years ago, "so to get here with what we've been through is an accomplishment."
The key loss was junior middle hitter Courtney Madden, who tore her ACL in the sixth match of the season.
"I'm proud of how none of us gave up even when everyone was telling us we had little chance," said senior setter Erin Stevens, who along with Madden, senior libero Lee McLane and senior outside hitter Brittany Kay were on Girard's state team.
Stevens finished with 22 assists and five points with an ace. McLane made 10 digs sophomore Elise Roscoe made 10 kills and three blocks.
williams@vindy.com