Monday, November 11th, 2013
Versailles captures first state title
By Gary R. Rasberry
Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry
The Versailles Tigers captured their first-ever state volleyball championship as they defeated Gilmour Academy in a five-set marathon in the Division III state title match at the Nutter Center.
The Tigers (27-2) were state runners-up in 2003 and were making their fourth trip to the state final four. The win also marks the first time since 1990 that the Midwest Athletic Conference brought home two state championships in volleyball. In 1990 St. Henry captured the Division III title with Fort Recovery taking the Division IV title.
Versailles jumped into control early, winning the first two sets 26-24 and 25-23 before Gilmour came back, taking set three 25-22 and set four 25-23 to send the match into a fifth set.
In the fifth set, the Tigers jumped out early to a 6-2 lead on kills by Brett Bey and Amanda Winner. Gilmour came back to cut it to 8-7, but Lauren Bruns had two straight kills to push the Tigers' lead to 10-7. Gilmour came as close as 12-10, but Winner and Christa Puthoff each had a kill to get to match point, with Winner getting the winning kill to end the match.
Winner had 28 kills and 16 digs in the match while Lauren Bruns added 21 kills. Rachel Kremer set the Tigers' attack with 52 assists and Kristin Langston added 21 digs.
Jess Janota led Gilmour with 33 kills as the Lancers set a state final record with a .217 attack percentage (68 kills in 180 chances with 29 errors), the best since the OHSAA went to rally scoring. Megan Polak had 57 assists and Josie Sheehan had 26 digs.
