Salem avenges loss to Hubbard
By Joe Scalzo
BOARDMAN — On the morning of what could have been the last game of his volleyball coaching career, Salem’s Don Conser expected to feel jitters.
He didn’t. Same with the afternoon and into the evening.
“I was not nervous all day today, which is highly unusual for me,” said Conser. “It was like there was a feeling from above saying, ‘Don’t worry. It’s OK. You’re gonna win.’ ”
Has that voice ever lied?
“It never lies to me,” said Conser.
Armed with support from above — probably more in the form of Amy Scullion’s jumping ability than any divine intervention — the Quakers fulfilled their destiny Thursday night by capturing the Division II district title with a 26-24, 16-25, 25-20, 25-18 over Hubbard at Boardman High School.
“Awesome,” said Scullion, an Ohio State basketball recruit who has won four straight district volleyball titles. “No better word to describe it. Absolutely awesome.”
Scullion had 23 kills to lead the Quakers, who will meet Walsh Jesuit at 6 p.m. on Thursday in a regional semifinal at Stow High School. But it was her defensive ability that drew raves from Hubbard coach Chuck Montgomery, whose team had defeated Salem in four games earlier this year.
One play in particular stuck out to him: With his team leading 23-21 in the first game, his best player, senior Jackie Carlisle executed what would have been a kill against most teams. But Scullion dug it out and the Quakers converted it into a point. After dropping the next point, Salem scored the final four to win a set that featured a ridiculous 15 ties. (The next three sets, by comparison, combined for zero ties.)
“To pull that game out was key because that proved to us that we could do it,” said Conser, who then broke into a grin and added, “Of course, the way we played the second game, it proved to us that we might not be able to do it.”
Hubbard opened a 10-2 lead in that second game and was never threatened. But Salem managed to swing the momentum back to its side in the third game and dominated most of the fourth.
“I think Amy played a level up tonight — a level or two up from our first meeting,” said Montgomery. “Amy dominates. Just absolutely ... back row, front row, she scores from all over. You try to defense her, you talk about her all the time; she’s just a very, very skilled player.”
Junior Mariah Halleck had 14 kills and two blocks for Salem (23-3), junior Laura Brown had four aces and 44 assists and Lydia Shivers had six kills and five blocks.
Shivers missed the teams’ first meeting, forcing Conser to play three girls out of position, he said.
“Tonight everybody was healthy, everybody was playing their regular positions and, for the most part, everybody did quite well,” he said.
Carlisle, a YSU recruit, had 30 kills for Hubbard (25-1), which was ranked second in the state. (Salem was sixth.) Senior Lexi Starheim added nine kills, senior Marcy Angelo had 12 points and 40 assists, junior Dawn Lingenfelter had 19 digs and 10 points and junior Haley Turner had three blocks.
“We had a great year,” said Montgomery. “I thought we could go far. I think they can go far. They’re a very talented team.
“It’s just one of those things where we had to meet in the district championship.”
Conser, who plans to retire after this season, gets at least one more week of practice and can continue his quest for that elusive state championship.
He’s led the Quakers to the state tournament twice — in 1999 and 2007 — with Salem losing in the semifinals both times.
Two years ago, Salem took eventual state champion Toledo Central Catholic to five sets, falling 15-13 in the final game.
Minutes after Thursday’s game, when he was asked how long he’ll celebrate the district title before thinking about the regional, he smiled and said, “I’m already thinking about regionals.”
Good strategy. All he needs now is a few more visits from the voice.
scalzo@vindy.com