Newark Catholic volleyball passes test in OHSAA regional sweep of Trimble
PICKERINGTON — It was the first time during its Division IV postseason run, the Newark Catholic volleyball team has faced any degree of adversity, but the Green Wave were waiting for it.
Junior Kami Diaz delivered a pressure-packed ace and classmate Erin Keck made a block to lead to a center line violation, giving NC the nail-biting second set. The Green Wave later finished off a sweep of Trimble, 25-13, 28-26, 25-8, during a Division IV regional semifinal at Pickerington North.
"I love situations like that," Diaz said. "We thrive under pressure for sure. (Coach Brenden Pence) puts pressure on us in practice, so when we get in the game, it's just like another play. We're fighters. We are not going down without a fight."
The Green Wave (24-3) attempt to win their third regional title in four seasons when they meet Tuscarawas Central Catholic (21-6) at 3 p.m. Saturday at North. The Saints rallied to win the final three sets, edging Shenandoah in five, in Thursday’s first semifinal.
NC cruised through the first set powered by four early kills from senior Ava Gummer and a kill on an overpass from senior Maddie Kauble before Trimble (23-5) fought tooth and nail in the second.
The second set included 13 ties. A kill from Trimble senior Jacie Osborne tied it at 24 after NC had led 24-21, and junior Katelyn Sutton’s kill helped the Tomcats grab a 26-25 lead.
"We were talking a lot, but we were not listening well," Pence said. "There was a lot of miscommunication. We kind of re-designated who's talking when, who's talking about what and listening as well as we were talking. When this team controls the controlables, they are really hard to stop."
A service error by Trimble cracked the door for NC.
"We are very calm in the chaos, and we grind and get ourselves back to where we need to be," Keck said.
The Green Wave dominated the third set, opening with blocks by Keck and Gummer. Freshman Natalie Harrington added a kill on a dump and a block down the stretch.
"That is our level of play," Diaz said. "The sky is the limit for us when we just play our own game and don't worry about the other side."
Trimble struggled throughout the night with NC’s size at the net as Keck, Harrington and sophomore Sophie Peloquin led the defensive attack at the net. When the Tomcats, plagued by hitting errors long out of play or into the net, were able to keep the ball in play, Diaz and junior libero Ava Heffley covered the back row and advanced the ball to setters Harrington and junior Kylie Gibson.
"What coach always says is you just need to be solid," Keck said. "If you can get a touch, fantastic. If not, we know our defense is set up around our blocks."
NC will encounter TCC, led by senior hitters Reese Triplett and Maddie Ferrell, which has not minded being an underdog. The Saints beat higher-seeded Hiland to win the district championship and had their backs against the wall before finishing with a flurry against Shenandoah.
The Green Wave had their run ended by South Webster at this point last season. Pence, in his first season after a stint at DeSales that included the 2019 Division I state championship, is hoping to push them a little higher.
"Anytime a team goes down 0-2 and wins in five, you can't take them lightly," Pence said. "They have some scrappy, hard kids, some big swings. They are definitely going to bring their best. ... We have one day to flip our game plan, one day to prep for them. We saw some things we will try to expose like I am sure they did."
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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Newark Catholic volleyball passes in OHSAA regional sweep of Trimble
