Banner year for Twinsburg volleyball reaches district level

Extending a remarkable fall season for the Twinsburg volleyball program can be exhilarating for the Tigers, who swatted away any notion of “the third time is the charm” in Saturday’s sectional championship match.

Facing and beating Stow-Munroe Falls for the third time or any team in a season isn’t always easy, but Twinsburg continued a storybook season Saturday afternoon with a 3-0 win over the Bulldogs by scores of 25-21, 25-18 and 25-16.

Earning the fifth seed and receiving a first-round bye at the Solon Division I district, Twinsburg advanced to the district semifinals Tuesday against seventh-seed Walsh Jesuit (12-12).

If the Tigers secured a victory, the district championship finals would be Thursday in Solon at 7 p.m.

“With that being the third time we had faced Stow this year, we knew we had to serve aggressively and to receive and to defend strong to win and we will win when we do that,” pointed out head coach Jessica Rader.

Rader’s confidence in her team echoed her club’s improved confidence over the past year, which features possibly Ohio’s finest turnaround campaigns of the entire fall.

Twinsburg went from one win in league play and a 10-14 mark to a record setting 11-1 start, an amazing school record 19 wins in an exciting 19-4 campaign that also earned the school’s first-ever league championship.

“I think our biggest hurdle was that these girls believed that they could win and we can compete with strong programs like Hudson and Wadsworth and in the Suburban League – to see that belief grow with these girls was so fun to watch.”

That confidence also hopes to lead to more movement in the brackets.

“The girls feel like they can compete with anybody,” stressed Rader, prior to district action. “Obviously, it won’t be easy, but these girls have confidence now.”

Seniors like Hailey Williams, the Tiger kills leader, and versatile Kendall Matlock, had an impact on the season through their careers. The duo helped in the win over Stow (7-18), but their vision was seen long ago.

“Our girls have worked so hard to improve and coming into their freshman year, both Kendall and Hailey set a goal before they graduated to win a league championship and they just did that,” said Rader after the sectional final win.

“Our seniors have had tremendous careers and really deserved all of the success and the league title,” said Rader.

After a slow first set against the Bulldogs, Williams picked up her attacking and had 12 kills while Matlock was slightly ill and not up to par, the four-year player led the team in many other areas.

“Kendall is our center and she is our rock, and she wasn’t feeling well, but she was able to quietly lead us by being a reliable leader and to provide consistency,” explained Rader.

“Hailey struggled in the first set, but she’s our kills leader and she really came back strong.”

Rader also praised Tiger juniors Julia Rodic and Claire Grosel.

“Julia had four big aces and it was extra important with her aggressive serving and defense while Claire had 16 digs and as our libero, her defense is so critical, and she came through.”

Other Tigers who have had huge contributions recently have been juniors Genevieve Talentino and Brooke Smith, along with freshman Kelsey Williams, junior Emmersyn Muth, sophomore Jordyn Fears, and freshman Taylor Pucky.

Fears has helped as Pucky broke her ankle and had her debut season come short.

“Last season, we did show some improvement, but with the tough schedule, our record did not reflect the improvement we had truly made,” said Rader. “We had some great seniors back along with the core of our team and I think our junior class also has strong experience and that has really helped us a lot.”

“This is such a great group of girls, both on and off the court, and I am so happy for them, but I think our success is such a true credit to these kids.”

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Banner year for Twinsburg volleyball reaches district semifinal