Friday, October 28, 2005
The Eagles made a pact not to settle for anything less than first place this year.
By GREG GULAS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
BOARDMAN -- The Hubbard High volleyball team waited almost a year for the opportunity, then needed just 61 minutes to wrest the Division II District championship trophy away from Crestwood.
The Eagles disposed of the Red Devils in three games, 25-10, 25-17 and 25-14, Thursday at the Boardman High.
The Eagles, playing in their 10th consecutive district title tilt, will advance to the regional semifinals at Stow-Munroe Falls High School next Thursday when they take on the winner of the Chagrin Falls District.
"After losing last year to Crestwood, we made a pact on the bus on the way home that we would not settle for anything less than first-place this year," Hubbard coach Chuck Montgomery said. "We left the gymnasium that day really disappointed, but this win is sweet this year.
"We played perhaps our best match of the season," Montgomery said. "We came in really focused, controlled their top hitters and defensively, just did a superb job.
"They say you win championships with defense, and when you combine that with the way that our offense played tonight that usually spells a win," Montgomery said. "Such was the case for us tonight."
Seventh time the charm?
Ranked fifth in the state in the recent volleyball poll, the Eagles (24-2, 17 straight wins) have never been to the state tournament but have played in the regional championship game twice during their six previous trips.
"Our goal is to always win our league, advance to the district championship game and then make it to regional play with the hopes that you end up at the state tournament," Montgomery said.
Hubbard's Lauren Ferguson got the Eagles out of the gate quickly as her eight points in game one and four points by Callie Oyler gave the Trumbull Athletic Conference champions a 25-10 win.
The Red Devils built a 13-9 lead in game two, but five consecutive points by Kim Budd gave the Eagles the lead they would not relinquish.
"I am disappointed that we went three and out. After scouting their game with Howland the other night, we felt that we could give them a run for their money tonight," said Red Devils coach Wanda Hoffman, now in her 19th season.
"We also didn't get off to a great start tonight, but you cannot play catch-up against a team the caliber of Hubbard all night and expect to win," Hoffman said. "When we had things going, a lack of communication cost us. We just couldn't end the play tonight.
"We went to pay for play this year and that hurt us as well," Hoffman said." Several players were injured and did not return while a couple of injuries prior to the start of the season didn't help out."
Coasted to win
Three points by Oyler then helped the Eagles to a 12-6 lead in the finale as the Eagles coasted to a 25-14 victory.
Corrie Gasser had 32 assists, six digs and five points for the Eagles.
Ferguson added 12 points, 11 kills and three aces while Maggie Bogdan chipped in with nine kills and six blocks.
Kate Foley and Budd made 16 and 15 digs, respectively, while Oyler posted eight points, three aces and nine kills for the champions.
The Red Devils were paced by Katie Miner who had 12 assists, nine digs and two kills while Erica Zigman added 10 digs, two kills and two assists.
Melisa Baringer also chipped in with six kills, five blocks and two assists and Mallori Muhlfelder added 12 digs, three kills and three blocks for the runner-up Red Devils (20-5).