Southeastern's Volleyball Panthers made school history Thursday, advancing to their first-ever Regional Final with a 25-9, 21-25, 25-21, 25-11 win over SVC foe Westfall in the Division 3 Regional semis at Logan High School.
The news was not as good for the Logan Elm Braves in Division 2 at Vandalia Butler High School, losing to Springfield Kenton Ridge 19-25, 25-19, 25-16, 26-24.
DIVISION 3 REGIONAL SEMIS AT LOGAN HIGH SCHOOL
Southeastern's Ella Skeens was one of the big differences in putting distance between the Panthers and the Westfall Mustangs in a tussle, that saw the match tied at (1-1), before Skeens took command at the net in Set 3 and into Set 4. Skeens led all players with 20 kills to go with 12 digs.
The Panthers steam-rolled Westfall 25-9 in Set 1, but Set 2 was a much different story as the Mustangs serving game picked-up along with the front row play of 6'0 freshman Kristen Phillips. Phillips had several of her team-high 12 kills in Set 2 and 3. Westfall led the entire second set in going to a 25-21 win, and were within 21-18 and 24-21 in Set 3, before Southeastern won the pivotal set for a 2-1 lead.
Set 4 found the Panthers in control the entire way as they took the 25-11 match-victory.
Along with Skeens 20 kills, Jessica Bolte and Rachel Collins each had 7 kills, along with Collins' 4 blocks and 2 from Bolte. Sierra Delong and Skylar Hice each added 6 kills. Morgan Wilson had a team-high 18 digs, with Hice adding 15.
Other than Phillips' team-high 12 kills for Westfall, Caitlyn Young had 7, Darby Beavers 6 and Samantha Tackett with 5. Beavers also had 16 digs and Madison Staten-Knief with 14.
Westfall saw a great tournament run end, closing the season at (10-16), while Southeastern improves to (23-3). The Panthers now face unbeaten Tuscarawas Valley in the Regional Final at 2pm Saturday in Logan. The Trojans blasted (24-3) Wheelersburg 25-5, 25-9, 25-6.
Saturday's finals will be heard on 94 Country WKKJ with airtime at 1:45pm.
Listen to the podcast of the Southeastern-Westfall match on our link below....
DIVISION 2 REGIONAL SEMIS AT VANDALIA BUTLER HIGH SCHOOL
The Logan Elm Braves effort to defend their regional championship fell short Thursday, falling to Springfield Kenton Ridge 19-25, 25-19, 25-16, 26-24.
Logan Elm was led by Maggie Rhoads with 23 kills, followed by Macie Rhoads 17 kills. Maria Boldoser added 5. The Braves were plagued with 20 hitting errors in the match. Macie Rhoads and Molly Caudill each had 16 digs and Braya Elsea with 15.
The Braves season ends at (23-3).