Wildcats fall to Redskins in four sets

TIPP CITY - The Minster Wildcat volleyball team has been on a vengeful tear over the past couple of weeks by blasting through the postseason while leaving opponents like Marion Local, New Knoxville, and St. Henry, all teams who beat them during the regular season, in the dust.

On Wednesday in Tipp City, however, they ran into a concrete wall despite Cami Garman's crew wanting to avenge their loss to Fort Loramie during the regular season. The Redskins had other ideas as they picked the Wildcats apart in four games in the Division IV regional semifinal battle.

"I told the girls in the locker room that the only reason this is so tough is because we lost," commented Garman. "We cannot let one match dictate the way they feel about this season. They accomplished more than what a lot of people, including themselves, probably expected. We need to keep our heads high about what we accomplished this season even though we ended with a loss."

The Wildcats (17-9) opened game one with little resemblance to the domination they displayed in their first three tournament games, as the Redskins jumped out to an 11-3 lead and never bothered looking back. Minster played frustrated as they spun their wheels the rest of the way as Fort Loramie (22-5) posted the 25-15 victory in the opening set.

"We have been playing so well and consistent lately, and we made a lot of errors in the first game which made us play tight," Garman admitted. "The girls seemed to freak out a little bit because we were making some mistakes, but Fort Loramie played extremely aggressively and managed to hit all of our open spots which put us in a bad position."

Minster seemingly toughened up in game two as the teams punched it out nearly point for point the entire way. Following six ties, the contest was knotted at 10 points apiece before the Orange and Black went up by one following a Fort Loramie serve that drifted into the net. The Redskins picked up two quick points to move ahead for the first time in the game 12-11, but a monster block by Lauren Roetgerman and Hannah Schmitmeyer, coupled with a slam by Jordyn Heitbrink gave their team a 13-12 advantage. The teams once again battled to six ties over the next few minutes before an errant serve and a defensive error gave the Redskins a 19-18 command - an edge they never relinquished. Jerrica Holthaus served up three straight to push her team in front 22-18 and the Redskins eventually nabbed game two, 25-21.

With their backs against the wall, the Wildcats came out on fire in the third set, powered by extended serving runs by LeAnn Huelsman and Roetgerman to take a 10-4 advantage. It was all Minster from there as they calmly extended their lead to a game-high nine points at 19-10 before posting a victory by the same margin at 25-16.

"We came out and executed our game plan in the third game. The girls really refused to go down without a fight," Garman pointed out. "We kept the ball in play and did what we needed to do. We closed on the block which made our defense better and we passed well and worked very well together as a team."

Any momentum the Wildcats were feeling at the end of game three though, was soon deflated when the Redskins sprinted out to an 8-3 lead at the start of the fourth set. Fort Loramie's Hallie Benanzer twisted the dagger a little more by dishing up five straight to move her team in front 13-3. The Redskins continued to take advantage of every little weakness Minster showed the rest of the way as they blasted their way to the 25-10 victory.

"I think that we used all of our adrenaline in that third game and really lost a lot of the fight in game four," Garman remarked. "Things weren't going our way in the final game and the girls let it get to them a little bit. We made a lot of untimely errors and just couldn't get in the groove."

Garman closed with a tip of her hat to her seniors - Cassie Jutte, Danielle Monnin, Erica Oldiges, Lauren Roetgerman, Bridget McGowan and Regan Hahn - for their leadership all season.

"These girls helped us accomplish more in the last four seasons than many of our teams in the past," Garman praised. "They have made this season so enjoyable, and although we didn't come out on top, they have left a lasting impression on the underclassmen and on the program for the future."