HUDSON: After its grueling five-game victory over Stow last week in the district final, the Walsh Jesuit volleyball team was in no mood to fool around.
In a Division I regional semifinal, the Warriors (19-7) easily disposed of Mentor 25-11, 25-16, 25-13 Wednesday at Ray “Buck” Heyser Gymnasium at Hudson High School.
Annie Osterfeld, a 6-foot junior, was one of the many contributors to the dominating victory, with six blocks and five kills.
When asked what weakness the Warriors have, she could not point to one.
“It is really hard to find one because we work at everything every day,” Osterfeld said. “We play well together as a team.”
Osterfeld said one of the keys to the team’s success is the uncanny passing of Kyra Coundourides, a sophomore setter, who finished with 27 assists.
“It is amazing to have [her]. Even if there is like an off pass, we know we can trust our setter to get it back in the game. She has done a great job all season,” Osterfeld said.
Walsh coach Missy Sturm reminded the team before the match to not let up at any time.
“I told them when we get a four- or five-point lead, do not let up on the momentum. We have to get that side out. They did that tonight,” Sturm said.
Sturm said joining the North Coast League this season and playing a strong independent schedule was a benefit to the Warriors.
“I love playing a strong schedule. We never ever get a break [in the league]. And we play teams like Toledo St. Ursula and Mount Notre Dame and Magnificat. We have more losses, but we are playing at a higher level,” Sturm said.
One of the many players who played well was senior Emma Klein, who had five kills and three blocks as part of an intimidating front line.
“After that Stow game, we came in here really focused and wanting to win. We had the mindset to win,” Klein said. “Our serving was better than in some matches tonight. Our offense was great and defense was scrappy.”
Mary Grace Kelly led the Warriors with nine kills.
The Warriors play at 2 p.m. Saturday in the regional final against Jackson.
Jackson 3, Solon 0
The Polar Bears (27-0) struggled all night, trying to shake off a Solon team that had been playing far better in recent weeks.
Behind 4-0 in the first two games, Jackson finally wore down the feisty Comets (15-12) to win 25-20, 25-23, 25-23 in the other regional semifinal.
“We know some of their players and they play with a lot of heart,” said Paige Hill, a 6-foot-1 junior outside hitter, who finished with 12 kills and three blocks. “That is the kind of team they are — they are scrappy and they go for everything and they play hard.”
Katie Zito, who finished with 11 kills and six digs, said the Comets presented a difficult challenge.
“Personally, I had the toughest match this year. They played great defense on me and I felt [at times] like I could not get a kill at all,” Zito said. “Those are the type of teams we will see from this point on.”
Jackson coach Jeff Walck was just happy to end it in three games.
“Solon did some things that took us out of our system. We failed at some things we controlled; our serving was not that good,” Walck said. “The key this year is our maturity. We have everyone back. The kids hung together.”
Laura Kelly finished with 15 assists for the Polar Bears.
