By Bill Bray
FINDLAY – The Lady Little Giants entered the confines of the Findlay High School Gym looking to improve on their 10-4 record. They did just that, with a three set to two win over the Lady Trojans.
“This is a fantastic win,” coach Lindi Cahill said. “Our records coming into tonight were almost identical. We were both 3-1 in the league. So, this win keeps us in the hunt a little bit.”
In the first set, Lyndi Wolf, Ross’ freshman flash, scored five points at the net and serving. Wolf served up two aces, two kills and one block. Her fellow freshman flash, Sydney Weickert scored four points with three aces and one kill. Two of her points came near the end of the set. Her kill made it 23-20 and an ace made it 24-20. Super sophomore Abby Cahill joined in with four points. She served up two aces and finished with two kills, including a kill to win the set. “We’re young,” Cahill said. “We are asking these girls to play at a varsity level and they are doing a great job.”
Ironically enough, young Cahill end the 25-16 second set with a tip that caught the Trojans by surprise. Abby scored three of Fremont’s points during the second set win. After two kills in the first set, Ross’ fine outside hitter, junior Carma Johnson, added four kills in the second set. Wolf added two more kills while sophomore Jocelyn Hines contributed with two points, including a kill to put Ross up 24-16.
The Trojans rallied in the third set with a 25-17 win. After running to a 5-1 start, the Trojans stormed back to take an eight-point advantage at 19-11. Wolf again scored five points during the set, junior middle hitter Brooklyn Smith, after contributing with four points in the first two sets, scored three points in the set. Abby Cahill scored two points and Hines scored one with a tip. Smith returned recently after missing several matches due to illness. ““Brooklyn is back and over the last two games she has been outstanding,” Cahill said. “Smith was forced to sit out for several matches after illness. “I don’t know if she just felt like she had missed out on something by missing those matches. Tonight, she made up her mind to do what she need to do to help her team win. She was great down the stretch for us.”
Moving to the fourth set. The two teams fought and clawed as Findlay came away the winner 30-28. After a Findlay service ace, the Trojans held a 24-17 advantage, just needing one point for the win. Smith, and the Cahill sisters stepped up their game even further. Abby Cahill, with a kill made the score 18-24. Carolyn Cahill, who was superb with her setting skills throughout the contest, and Smith were successful with a block. After a double hit violation by Findlay, Cahill and Smith teamed up again for a block. Findlay again errored with a shot into the net. Smith with a kill and a second point tied the game at 24-24. Another kill by Smith, and a tip by Abby Cahill gave Ross the lead back at 27-26. Findlay rebounded with two points to take the lead back 28-27. Senior Kelsey Weickert, who played a great game from her Libero position came up with a point to knot the game again at 28-28. Findlay finished the set off with the final two points.
The match entered the fifth and final set. Ross, the ‘never say die’ Giants, moved quickly out to a 6-1 lead as the Trojans called a time out. From there it was the play of Wolf, Abby Cahill, Hines, Johnson, and Smith to secure the victory.