Titans fall in district finals

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Michael Hamilton

[email protected]

JACKSON, Ohio — The Notre Dame Titans fell to the Waterford Wildcats in four sets in the Division Four District Finals on Saturday afternoon in Jackson.

Although Notre Dame (20­5) was unable to capture the district championship, the Titans ended the season as the Division Four District Runner­up.

“We knew when we were coming in playing a number two seed, Waterford, that it was going to be a really good hard match,” said Notre Dame Head Volleyball Coach, Kelsey Glockner. “They have really good athletic hitters, and the offense was really quick, and we just had a lot of trouble adjusting today.”

The Titans took home a share of the Southern Ohio Conference (SOC) Division I title, along with Eastern ­Pike, whom the Titans defeated in the district semi­finals last Wednesday.

Notre Dame claimed the first set from Waterford 25­23, and set the tone of the set with a 5­0 start, causing the Wildcats to call for a timeout. The Titans controlled the score throughout the first set, but were just unable to claim any other sets in the match.

“I’m still trying to figure it out,” commented Glockner on what happened after the first set. “I think those hitters really got on, and I think the tempo of the sets and the tempo of the offense just took our defense away, and we just never really got back to that.”

In the following three sets, Waterford was able to prevent Notre Dame from gaining any momentum, and forcing the Titans to play from behind most of the time. The Titans were unable to put together a long scoring streak against the Wildcats defense.

The Wildcats claimed three consecutive sets from the Titans, after losing the opening set. There was a lot of work put into this year’s Notre Dame volleyball season, which paid off with an SOC I Co-­Championship, and District Final Four Runner­up.

“This was my first year coaching,” said Glockner. “We have two freshmen on the floor. We have a new program, a new system, and them buying into me, you know, there was a lot on the table. It has been hard to take this loss, but it has been a great season.”

Glockner and the Titans will lose two seniors as this season comes to an end, Kendall Paterson, and Ragen Kayser.

“There has been a lot of senior leadership out of Kendall and Ragen on and off the court,” said Glockner. “As a whole, it has been a great season, and I would just like to congratulate Waterford for a great gameplan, and a great match,” added Glockner.

Reach Michael Hamilton at 740­353­3101, ext 1931, or on Twitter @MikeHamilton82 Box Score Waterford def. Notre Dame

Box Score

Waterford def. Notre Dame 23-­25, 25-­21, 25-­16, 25-­13

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