MAC VOLLEYBALL Poland earns revenge at Salem

The Bulldogs won a five-set, two hour marathon against the Quakers.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
SALEM -- Poland High volleyball coach Fred Smith may not get the MAC. But he's willing to settle for the Big Mo.
"The kids are clicking right now," Smith said. "They're a lot of fun to coach."
The Bulldogs avenged an earlier five-set loss to Salem, upending the Quakers in a two-hour marathon Metro Athletic Conference match, 25-21, 16-25, 25-20, 23-25, 15-13.
"I knew this would be nothing but a battle," Smith said. "Salem put up a great fight, but the kids didn't quit. There's no quit in this team."
Gets momentum
Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, their opening-match loss to Alliance may cost them a share of the league title. But Thursday's win gives Poland a lot of momentum (aka "Big Mo") heading into the postseason.
"This is phenomenal for us," Smith said. "They play together as a team and they win as a team."
Doni Muransky led Poland (11-5, 6-2) with 16 kills and six blocks, while Dee Muransky had 13 kills and three blocks. Ashley Conger had nine kills, Mollie Patrick had 18 assists and Briget Hennon had 24 digs.
"We have played better," said Quakers coach Don Conser. "I'm not saying Poland isn't a good team -- obviously, they are -- but when we play as well as we can, they don't stand a chance.
"[But] a lot of how we play depends on how our opponents play."
Leading the Quakers
Jessica Potts had 45 assists for the Quakers (13-4, 8-1), while Sarah Hamilton had 11 kills, two tips and four blocks and Katie Finnicum had nine kills and a tip. Sarah Brobeck added eight kills and two blocks and Meredith Miles had two aces, seven kills and two blocks.
Although Conser was unhappy with the loss, there is a bright side. Salem needs only to win its final three matched to win the league outright.
How many MAC titles has Conser won in a row?
"All of them," he said.
It's true. Since Conser started, he has won or shared every MAC -- and, before that, Mahoning Valley Conference -- title.
"I just hope it continues," he said.
scalzo@vindy.com