If the volleyball district semifinals were based on the enthusiasm of both teams’ supporters, Galion would be victorious.
But the No. 4 seed Lady Tigers’ season came to an end Wednesday night after losing to No. 2 seed Huron in four sets by scores of 17-25, 20-25, 25-23 and 23-25, at Seneca East High School in Attica. The Huron Tigers (17-7) will play against No. 1 seed Edison, of which earlier defeated No. 6 seed Mohawk, in the final match of the Div. III Attica on Halloween.
Galion suffered a two-set deficit but was able to bounce back temporarily with a win the third set.
“I was very proud of them,” said Galion head coach Jaime Valentine. “They had tried to hold their own.”
Valentine said the team had no answer to Addie Wisehart, who added 19 kills and nine blocks for Huron. During the first set, Galion had a 4-1 lead before Huron surpassed them with a 5-1 run. Galion was able to tie the first set 10-10 before Huron took control and widened the gap.
The second and fourth set were more neck-and-neck. The Lady Tigers were able to keep pace until Huron unleashed a 9-4 run to win the second set. Galion was able to gain the lead early and maintain it enough to win the third set.
“We matched up pretty well with each other,” said Huron head coach Don Wood. “Their team complements each other.”
He said Wednesday’s night win means a lot for the team, which lost seven seniors from last season.
Galion also loses its three seniors after this season: Taylor Valentine, Bradlee Saterfield and Kiki Staton.
“We’re going to miss them,” coach Valentine said. “We got some big shoes to fill, that’s for sure.”
After last week’s victory in the sectionals, Galion’s volleyball team was looking to improve from last year’s postseason with a win in the semifinals. In 2014, Galion won its first and second tournament match respectively against Sandusky and Bellevue, before losing to Norwalk with a 3-1 rout in the district semifinal.
“I hope to get pass this point (next season),” she said.
Galion stats were not available as of Wednesday night.
