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Blue Devils again fall to Knights
By Greg Gulas
COLUMBIANA
Records can be deceiving,
In the case of the St. Thomas Aquinas High volleyball team, the Knights’ 14-11 record heading into Thursday’s district title game didn’t scream title contender.
But the third-seeded Knights found a way to once again oust Western Reserve in the Division IV tournament.
Just like last year, the Knights needed five games to defeat the top-seeded Blue Devils, this time by scores of 25-22, 23-25, 25-17, 16-25 and 15-13 at Columbiana High School. Last year’s tournament was in Lisbon.
“We knew that it would be a battle and go back and forth,” Western Reserve head coach Jen Lorenzi said. “We had a great year and I am proud of the entire team.”
Knights coach Alyssa Thewes said, “It was a series of runs for both teams in all five games and we were just fortunate to have the last run.
“We played a very challenging schedule this season and that is what has prepared us for the tournament,” Thewes said. “We felt it would go down to the nitty-gritty just like last year, and it did.
“Give credit to both teams because they fought right down to the final point.”
In the opening game, the Blue Devils (20-5) forged a 19-11 lead on five points by Rachel Maslach and three more by Ahsley Burcew, but the Knights scored the next six points on Bridgette Edwards’ serves. The Knights scored six of the next eight points for the win.
Eight points by Aleah Hughes and four more by Maslach helped the Blue Devils to a 25-23 victory in the second game.
Maslach, who will play for University of Massachusetts-Boston next fall, said the season was very special.
“We were really close as a team, both on and off the court and that made this season very special,” Maslach said, “It was a season of many memories for everyone.”
Six points by the Knights’ Nicole McGervey staked St. Thomas Aquinas to the early 8-2 advantage in the third game as they posted a 25-17 win.
The Blue Devils knotted the match at 2-2 with a 25-16 win in the fourth game as Karson Kabetso’s five points keyed an 8-2 run by Western Reserve.
In the deciding game, four points by Marissa Phipps helped the Blue Devils build a 12-7 lead, but five service points by Paige Dempsey keyed an 8-2 run by the Knights.
Katie Hiestand scored the game winner as St. Thomas Aquinas took the final game, 15-13.
“Playing in the tough North Coast League had its advantages because it helped prepare us for the tournament,” Dempsey said.
Hughes had 33 kills, 36 digs and three aces while Maslach had 18 points and 29 assists. Kalina Wisniewski made three blocks.