Quakers capture district

By Tom Williams

Amy Scullion broke her own school record with 41 kills.

BOARDMAN — Salem High senior volleyball player Alli Ward is among the most honest athletes you’ll meet.

Aware of the pressure enveloping the Quakers as they pursue their second straight state appearance, Ward admitted her team had some jittery feelings during Wednesday’s Division II district final win over Field at Boardman High.

“We’re all kind of nervous, but there’s a lot of excitement,” Ward said of working to again be among Ohio’s top four teams.

After the Quakers won the first two games (25-17, 25-14), the one-loss Falcons, rebounded, capturing the third game 25-23.

The Falcons led 18-13 in the fourth contest before Bri Wagner served three points and Taylor Sauerwein contributed five in the Quakers’ 26-24 victory that has them returning to the regional at Stow-Munroe Falls High School.

“We got a little bit worried, but we kept our heads mostly,” said Ward, who had 12 kills, three blocks, four points and two aces. “We had to get the fourth game because the fifth game is a lot harder to win. We had to put [game three] behind us.”

Amy Scullion’s record-setting performance enabled the Quakers (24-2) to eliminate Field for the second straight season in the district finale.

A junior regarded as one of Ohio’s best players, Scullion broke her school record by making 41 kills against the Falcons (20-2).

“She shattered it tonight,” said Salem coach Don Conser, noting that her previous best (31) came Monday.

Scullion, who also had three blocks, three aces and 12 points, said she “had no idea” about the record.

“Someone told me when were on the bench waiting to get our awards,” Scullion said. “The effort was just incredible. I think we really came together as a team and that’s what gave us a push.”

Wagner, who scored 15 points, credited the Quakers’ top player for keeping cool.

“Amy is unbelievable, she’s such an [energetic] sparker on the team,” said Wagner, one of the Quakers’ three seniors. “We just feed off of Amy — she’s one of a kind.”

Wednesday, the Quakers will face the winner of today’s Hubbard-Mentor Lake Catholic match at Jefferson High.

Asked what the district title means, Wagner said it’s, “beyond words, as a senior. The season has been about working to get back to regionals and hopefully back to state. There are no words to describe how excited [we] are.”

Last year, the Quakers swept Field in three games.

“They were better,” Conser said. “We don’t have as many killers this year as we did last year.

“[But] the girls play well as a group,” Conser said. “They play defense better than last year. And they get the ball to who needs to have it, and that’s Amy.”

Sauerwein made 24 assists while Marian Halleck made 21.

williams@vindy.com