Arrows slip past Irish, advance to regionals

St. Ursula's Madison Strall (12) and Lauran Graves (8) defend against Central Catholic's Jennifer Kowalski during the Arrows' three-set victory in the Division I district final. THE BLADE/JEREMY WADSWORTH Enlarge | Photo Reprints

The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.

It was an iconic catchphrase for decades on the ABC network's Wide World of Sports, and it was clearly evident in Saturday's Division I district volleyball final at Perrysburg High School.

That match was won by perennial state power St. Ursula over longtime City League, and now Three Rivers Athletic Conference, rival Central Catholic by a 25-21, 25-22, 25-23 count.

The thrill, as it usually is this time of year, went to the top-ranked, defending D-I state-champion Arrows (25-0), who advanced to their 11th regional in the last 12 years under coach John Buck, and won their 45th straight match dating back to last season.

The only interruption to that string of district crowns came in 2007, when another St. Ursula rival, Notre Dame, beat the Arrows in the district final.

PHOTO GALLERY: District Volleyball Championship

St. Ursula will next face Avon Lake in a regional semifinal at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Norwalk.

As for the agony of defeat, that went to Central Catholic, and not just for losing this match.

St. Ursula's Erin Williams, right, spikes the ball against Central Catholic's Olivia Pina yesterday. THE BLADE/JEREMY WADSWORTH Enlarge | Photo Reprints

Tears were in abundance as the Irish lined up to receive their runner-up medals along with head coach Melissa Belcher, who endured the entire 17-8 season while courageously battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, better known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

Every St. Ursula player and coach embraced Belcher after the match, with the last and longest hug shared by Belcher and Buck, whose teams have staged some spirited court duels in recent seasons.

Belcher coached Central to the Division II state championship in 2007, got back to the D-II regionals in 2008, and the past two seasons lost in the D-I districts to these same Arrows, last year in the final.

"It is emotional," Belcher said. "We just weren't ready to have it end."

The Irish were within 23-21 late in Game 1, 24-22 in Game 2, and 24-23 in the deciding Game 3. One or two more serves, blocks, digs, or attacks here and there, and the outcome might have swung.

"We couldn't close up the gap enough times and separate ourselves enough and finish off the deal," Belcher said. "Every time we've lost we were there, and then we just couldn't finish.

"But they played hard, and I'm very proud of them."

Buck's joy of winning was tempered by the reality of Belcher's illness.

"Obviously our hearts go out to her," Buck said. "She's a class act, and she shows so much courage and sets such an example for everybody. She's still living her life even though she's fighting a tough battle."

The Arrows, who turned in a solid all-around game triggered by fourth-year varsity players like Madison Strall and Madison Haupricht, were led in kills by senior Cassidy Croci with 15 and junior Maddie Burnham with 12.

"Everything was clicking," Croci said. "The passes were there, and the setters were just giving them right to me. I saw all the angles to hit, and it was a lot of fun.

"The winning streak is nice to have but you try to block it out and just play it one at a time."

"Everyone was on, our passing was great today, and Cassidy Croci was just on fire in the middle," Burnham said. "That helped a lot. We really spread out our offense, and we have lots of options. That makes it better [to find openings in defense]."

Freshman Lauran Graves and senior Erin Williams added five and four kills, respectively, for the Arrows.

"We were passing well enough that we were able to get Cassidy the ball, and she was just on fire out there," Buck said. "She was keeping them guessing. But Central's offense picked up, and we weren't able to control the ball as well and get it to the middle.

"It was just a match where we clawed and scratched our way out to win."

The Irish were paced on the attack by the senior foursome of Jennifer Kowalski, Abby Wietrzykowski and Olivia Pina, who each had eight kills, and Makahla Jacobs, who added five.

"This never gets old," Buck said. "Every year you have a new team and a new group of kids. It's fun to watch their excitement and, this is why I like to coach, for this time of year."

St. Ursula also won a state title under Buck in 2004, and was state runner-up in 2000 and 2005 in seven total trips to the final four.

Findlay advances

TIFFIN -- Findlay won its Division I district final Saturday's at Heidelberg College, making short work of Mansfield Senior, 25-3, 25-9, 25-17.

The Trojans advance to a regional semifinal at Hilliard Davidson High School in suburban Columbus, where they will play Wednesday at 6 p.m. against the winner of a district final between Newark and Columbus Watterson.

Contact Steve Junga at: sjunga@theblade.com or 419-724-6461.