Bulldogs swept by Truckers at regional

ONTARIO - Celina put together a strong game, but just not strong enough to outlast a determined group from Norwalk.

The Truckers ended the Bulldogs' tournament run with a 25-16, 25-21, 25-23 sweep in the Division II regional volleyball semifinal on Wednesday night at the O-rena at Ontario High School.

The Truckers (21-5) face Pauda Franciscan on Saturday at 2 p.m. for a berth to the state final four. Padua defeated Ottawa-Glandorf in four sets in the opening semifinal match.

"I told the team they were in the top 16 in the division (regional teams) and there's no shame in falling to a top 16 team, especially when you play 100 percent and give it your all," Celina coach Amy Sutter said. "I don't think we played poorly tonight."

The beginning of the first set did not bode well for Celina as Norwalk opened with a 6-0 run thanks to kills from Cara MacFarland and an ace from Ally Douglas. Celina's first two points came on service errors by the Truckers. Just as quickly, Celina came back to challenge as Hannah Rasawehr and Alyssa Hoyng began to find their hitting prowess to pare down a seven-point deficit to two at 11-9. Two points was the closest the Bulldogs could get in the first set as Lyndsey Sheldon had a three-point run down the stretch to push the Norwalk lead back to 19-14 before the Truckers pulled away.

"Hannah got us started with some of those big kills to get back into it," coach Sutter said. "Then we relaxed a little bit. Don't think we were nervous, just a little tight. It's testament to what they've done all season: keeping their composure and let those big point differences get into their heads."

The comeback in the first set led Celina to challenge the Truckers for the final two sets. The teams tied eight times and changed leads six times in the second set. It looked like Celina had a chance to gain the advantage after Norwalk's Sara Staley went down with a knee injury, allowing the Bulldogs to take an 18-15 lead thanks to kills by Rasawehr and Cora Lutz and a block by Paige Sutter. After a timeout, Norwalk recovered. Freshman Delaney Thompson, Staley's substitute, served up two points to tie the set at 18-all. Celina took the lead at 19-18 and got back the serve, but the Bulldogs were called for a net violation. With the match tied, the serve was given back to the Truckers' Anne Davidson, who promptly served up five straight points on kills from MacFarland and Olivia Ward and a block by Aimee Smith to put Norwalk back in front 24-19. Celina picked up two more points, but Smith scored a kill to end the set.

"I don't think there's anyone (we played), including the MAC schools, that runs an offense that fast," coach Sutter said. "They're a short group, the tallest was 5-7 or 5-8, but they didn't need to be tall as fast as they ran their offense. We adjusted well."

The third set was even more of a battle with 11 ties and six lead changes. Celina was down early 11-7, only to come back to tie the set at 13-all. The teams tied at 14- and 15-all before Hoyng served Celina into at 17-15 lead thanks to an ace and a Sutter quick-set for a kill. Celina held Norwalk at bay until a Smith block tied the set at 19-all and an ace by Alaina Kelley made it 20-19 briefly before the Bulldogs were able to tie the set up again. The teams battled back and fourth with Celina tying the set at 23-all, but the chance to reach set point was stopped when Celina was called for a double-hit to give the Truckers match point. After a long rally, Claire Kelley spiked down the clinching point.

"I'm very proud of them," coach Sutter said. "Because I've always felt like we could have been WBL champs every year, but sometimes they need to know that. This year it happened. They worked together, were great teammates and very supportive. They pushed and coached each other. ... It was a great season."

Hoyng and Rasawehr each had 12 kills. Paige Sutter, who along with Hoyng, Lutz, Logan Boley, Shelby Prenger and Hailey Langenkamp wrapped up their careers as Bulldogs, added 16 assists and four blocks. Langenkamp added 20 digs.

MacFarland led Norwalk with 17 kills. Alaina Kelley dished out 33 assists and Davidson had 18 digs for the Truckers.