ST. MARYS, OHIO - For the first time is school history, St. Marys Memorial has captured an outright Western Buckeye League volleyball championship.
Having shared the title in 1979 and 1997, the Riders finished the '99 season with a perfect 9-0 league mark. St. Marys dominated its WBL competition this season, cruising through the schedule without losing a single game in league play.
Now with a 20-2 overall record, St. Marys heads into post-season play looking to improve on last year's semi-final appearance at the state tournament.
"We just need to stay focused," said St. Marys coach Monica VanderHorst. "All season long the kids have been able to keep things in perspective. They wanted to win the league title, they beared down and got it done. I would like to see the same kind of intensity for the sectional and district."
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St. Marys is seeded No. 1 at the Bath Division II Sectional and will play the winner of the Shawnee-Elida match Saturday at approximately 3:30 p.m.
Last year St. Marys finished with a 20-8 record, advancing to its first state tournament appearance before bowing out in the semi-finals.
"I think this team is a little more balanced," VanderHorst said. "We've got some strong all-around hitters, and people that play well all over the floor.
"But there's still plenty we need to improve on, especially on defense," she warned. "To do well in the tournament you need to have everybody playing well and you need to peak at the right time."
The Roughriders have benefitted from some excellent senior leadership this season, especially from floor quarterback Brandi Dicke. The team's
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designated setter, Dicke has compiled 517 assists 128 digs and 132 service points.
Senior Nan Kogge has been a force to deal with at the net where she leads the team in kills with 193.
Heather Graves, another senior, has recorded 122 digs while senior Emily Moran is second on the team in kills with 178. Andrea Roth and Rian Dine round out the senior class for the Riders.
Another goal for this year's team is a school record for wins. The Riders are hoping to do better than last year's mark of 20 wins, but were denied at Coldwater Monday. Hopefully, win No. 21 and beyond will come Saturday.
ridertown.com
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