VOLLEYBALL Hubbard cranks it up against Girard; TAC in three-way tie

Against the Indians (10-3), the Division II Eagles (8-2) started slowly but did not panic.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
GIRARD -- Halfway through the Trumbull Athletic Conference volleyball season, the top of the standings are as tight as ever.
Thanks to Hubbard's three-game victory over Girard on Tuesday by scores of 25-23, 25-19 and 25-17, the Eagles, Indians and Lakeview Bulldogs are tied for first place with 6-1 records.
Earlier this season, Lakeview defeated Hubbard to create the unusual three-way logjam in a league where the Eagles rarely lose.
"After the first round, we're all 1-1 [against each other]," Hubbard coach Chuck Montgomery said. "That's what we wanted tonight."
Player's recovery
Montgomery says the reason for his team's improved play is the health of senior outside hitter Callie Oyler, who he said was at about 70 percent when the Eagles played the Bulldogs and lost the fifth match, 16-14.
"I am so glad I'm almost 100 percent coming back," Oyler said after scoring 11 points and making 14 kills. "I'm so excited -- this one keeps us in the running for the TAC."
In June, Oyler, a TAC first-teamer in volleyball, basketball and softball, had surgery after she tore her meniscus (knee cartilage) while not playing sports.
"I was at a friend's house and just got off the floor and it busted on me," Oyler said. "When it first happened, I thought I was done for the season and I was going to let my team down.
"But [the surgery] was more of a repair -- they scoped it," Oyler said. "It was supposed to be four months [for recovery], but it's only been about three. I'm lucky to be back."
Against the Indians (10-3), the Division II Eagles (8-2) started slowly but did not panic.
Emotionally charged
"They're awfully tough and I knew they would come out with a lot of emotion," Montgomery said of Girard. "I knew if we did not get down too far, we could offset that emotion."
Once the Eagles took the lead at 14-13, the match seesawed until Hubbard won by two points.
In the second match, Girard also had an early lead before Hubbard jumped ahead 17-12. After the Indians scored the next six points, the Eagles responded with a surge that produced eight of the next nine tallies.
"We're both good teams, but we played a little better late in the games," Montgomery said. "We were all over them defensively -- they really couldn't put a ball down.
"And our serving was very key tonight because we only had five bad serves the whole night," Montgomery said. "Our setter, Corrie Gasser, is outstanding -- she does a great job of moving the ball around."
Gasser produced 29 assists while Lauren Ferguson scored 19 points and made nine digs and eight kills. Maggie Bogdon had 14 kills and seven blocks while Kim Budd made 12 digs.
Inspiration
Montgomery said winning last weekend's Worthington Tournament provided inspiration. Hubbard defeated Hilliard Davidson, Worthington Kilbourne and Thomas Worthington.
"We played really well down there," said Montgomery who reminded his Eagles during a pregame pep talk. "I said if you happen to lose tonight, that weekend down there would be a waste."
Oyler agreed.
"We beat three top-notch teams so it gave us the attitude that if we can beat them, we can beat anybody," Oyler said.
For Girard, Hillary Patterson scored seven points and Courtney Madden made nine digs. Chelsea Morrison made 14 kills and three blocks while Aysha Nickels made 33 assists.
"Phil does a tremendous job with this team," Montgomery said of Girard coach Phil Walters. "This is a division three team that's loaded. They'll go a long way in the playoffs."
williams@vindy.com