Jonathan Alder’s Kennady Izzard (3) stretches to prevent the ball from hitting the floor Thursday evening at Lexington High School. The Lady Pioneers beat Norwalk, 3-1, in the Division II regional semifinals. (Photo submitted)
Kyli Ricker (4) of Jonathan Alder passes the ball during Thursday’s Divison II regional semifinal match against Norwalk. Also pictured is Emma Shepherd (15). (Photo submitted)
The Lady Pioneers of Jonathan Alder have lived to fight another day and and is one step closer to a berth in the Division III state volleyball tournament.
Alder ran its record to 25-1 with a 3-1 decision over the Norwalk Lady Truckers in the Division II regional semifinals on Thursday.
The two sides exchanged blows in the early going of set one at Lexington High School.
The score was knotted at 10-10, before the blocking tandem of of Emma Shephard and Jaden Phelps gave the Pioneers an 11-10 lead.
Jon Alder head coach Joe Ross said the tight play was all a part of the plan.
“We came out guns blazing in the district final against Hamilton Township and we talked this week about pacing ourselves more,” he said. “But that meant we weren’t ourselves in that first set.”
After a timeout, Ross was able to let the reigns off his hitters and the Lady Pioneers didn’t disappoint.
The attacking duo of Shepherd and Ava Francis combined for seven points as JA took a 22-19 edge.
Shepherd picked up an ace serve to put JA at set point, 24-19.
Francis blasted a kill for Alder’s 25-19 triumph.
The ensuing game was a repeat of set one with each side volleying for the lead.
The Lady Truckers found their groove around the 9-6 point of the game.
Norwalk capitalized on JA’s serving errors and rode a three-point lead for the majority of the set.
Gracie Nees went on the attack for JA, giving the local team the boost it needed to deadlock the game at 19-all.
The Lady Truckers took a timeout to regain their composure, but the momentum was in favor of the Pioneers.
Shepherd gave the Lady Pioneers their first lead of the set at 20-19 with a kill down the line.
Ross said his squad was able to claw its way back little-by-little.
“I think there is a reminder that this isn’t basketball and we can’t run a three-point play really quick,” he said. “Whether we are up three or down three, there is a continuous battle of one point at a time.”
That mentality gave the Pioneers the points when needed to take a set two win by a score of 25-23.
“I was really proud of them, because I think they were able to keep that mentality and we were able to score those points when it mattered most,” Ross said.
The Lady Pioneers, however, stumbled during the third set.
Norwalk took the early lead and kept a stranglehold on it.
The Lady Pioneers struggled to find any rhythm from the serving line.
They committed numerous net serves that kept Norwalk on the attack.
Ross said getting so close to a victory tripped up the Lady Pioneers.
“In set three, I don’t know if we were just close and we just didn’t play our best,” he said.
The Truckers took the game 25-20 to pull to within 2-1 in sets.
The attacking duo of Francis and Shepherd responded during the final game.
The duo helped the Lady Pioneers climb to a 17-13 lead by notching 11 points on the attack.
Alder won the set 25-20 to advance to Saturday’s regional title match.
Ross said he was proud of the team’s efforts, adding they now have to prep for a big test in the regional finals.
“One thing I appreciate most about these kids is they compete every day,” he said. “I joked with our trainer that we need the magic leg rejuvenator tomorrow.
“I think the best thing for us is to get home, rest and go through some things tomorrow to prepare our bodies.”
The Lady Pioneers have a tough task ahead of them in the regional finals as they will face the Division II defending state champions Parma Heights Holy Name (24-2) on Saturday (2 p.m.) at Lexington High School.
Ross said he believes his Lady Pioneers are ready for the task.
“They are outstandingly-coached and it is going to be really fun, because that is what we want at this time,” Ross said. “It is regional final… let’s play the best to see where we stand.”