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West Holmes topples two unbeatens to win at Worthington Kilbourne    

September 18, 2004

By Jim Jicha

West Holmes toppled two undefeated state-ranked teams today to win the Worthington Kilbourne Lady Wolves Volleyball Tournament. The Knights beat Newark Catholic, fourth in Division III, in the semifinal 28-26, 25-20; then they topped Bexley, ninth in Division II, in the final 25-18, 25-23.

Mandy Humphrey led the victors with 35 kills and Tricia Uhl added 25.

Coach Jim Park cited his team's "outstanding" defense saying libero Ali Drushal was "most impressive". He credited his team for persevering despite having one player ill and some adversity during the matches.

West Holmes is currently ranked sixth in Division II. The Knights were state runner-up the last two years, losing the state final both times to nationally ranked powerhouse Kettering Alter, and they appear on track to make it back to the Nutter Center for a third time.

And don't be surprised if Bexley and Newark Catholic show up at the Nutter as well. Bexley has beaten the likes of Bloom-Carroll and Granville. Perhaps Bexley and West Holmes will meet again before this season is over.

Last weekend Newark Catholic toppled Division I power Chaminade-Julienne, who turned around and stunned nationally ranked Roger Bacon this past Tuesday.

Getting back to the tournament, the second game of the finale was nip and tuck, with Bexley outside hitter Briana Hinkle having a hot hand. A dump by setter Becky Lewis started a rally that saw the Lions break to a 15-9 lead. Hillary Byers served an ace and Allison Rawlings contributed a block.

Trailing 17-13, West Holmes rallied for five points with Humphrey crunching two kills and two blocks, and Morgan McDowell serving up an ace. The teams traded points until Uhl scored twice on a spike and a tip, to put the Knights on top 23-21. After Lizzy Parlet spiked a kill for Bexley, Keysha Allison got a block to put West Holmes at match point. Parlet kept Bexley's hopes alive with another kill, but Humphrey nailed a smash to the Lions' backcourt for the win.

Newark Catholic took third place with a 25-22, 23-25, 15-12 win over Dublin Scioto. Christy Zitzke hit two kills to get Scioto off to a 2-0 lead in the tiebreaker, and the Irish went up 6-3 on a kill by Kara Culp and an ace from Zitzke.

However, the Green Wave tied it at 6-6 with Searra Schell and Shannon Wilson each scoring kills. Wilson had two more kills as the teams also scored on errors and the tie increased to 9-9. After a net violation by Scioto, Wilson served out with Sarah Clapper tipping for the match winner.

First Round

Bexley def. Worthington Kilbourne 25-12, 25-8

Dublin Scioto def. Hubbard 25-21, 25-23

Newark Catholic def. Thomas Worthington 25-9, 26-24

West Holmes def. Olentangy Liberty 25-18, 25-27

Second Round

Worthington Kilbourne def. Hubbard 25-21, 21-25, 15-13

Thomas Worthington def. Olentangy Liberty 17-25, 25-23, 15-9

West Holmes def. Newark Catholic 28-26, 25-20

Bexley def. Dublin Scioto 25-14, 24-26, 15-12

Championship

West Holmes def. Bexley 25-18, 25-23

Third Place

Newark Catholic def. Dublin Scioto 25-22, 23-25, 15-9

Fifth Place

Worthington Kilbourne def. Thomas Worthington 25-19, 27-25

Seventh Place

Olentangy Liberty def. Hubbard 25-17, 23-25, 15-12