Cowboys rally against Sickles
By Kyle LoJacono
Staff Writer
NORTHDALE — Gaither and Sickles have been on a collision course since the start of the season and met in the Class 5A, District 9 final.
The Cowboys that took the title in five sets — 25-18, 25-27, 17-25, 25-18, 15-10.
“In a way, it was almost anti-climactic because both teams knew it would come down to this match,” Sickles coach Robert Brashear said. “They played very well and we had too many errors.”
The district crown was Gaither’s first since 2003. By making the championship match both teams advance to the regional quarterfinals. The title gives Gaither a home match in the first round of the playoffs, whiles Sickles be on the road.
“I’m so excited, because we haven’t won districts in like a million years,” said Jenna Clark, nearly hyperventilating with excitement after Gaither’s win. “We’ve worked hard for this as a team for years and (that) we finally win districts is so perfect.”
Gaither was the No. 1 seed entering the tournament with a 14-3 (6-0 district) record. Sickles was No. 2 with a 19-4 (5-1) mark. The Cowboys beat the Gryphons earlier this season.
“We knew we could win again, even though Sickles is a great team,” Clark said. “Sickles is a tough team, but we knew we could do it again.”
Gaither got to the title match be beating Freedom in straight sets, while Sickles handled Leto in three as well.
Clark had a team-leading 21 kills and eight blocks. Outside hitter and co-captain Laura Ackart put down 17 kills and had 10 digs, while Chloe New had eight kills. Libero Sarah Wood had 15 digs and setter and co-captain Emily Hussin had 40 assists.
Libero Brittany Johnson had a match-high 25 digs in the losing effort for the Gryphons. Co-captain and senior Lauren Ramsey had 20 kills and 16 digs, and fellow co-captain Brenna McTeer had 12 digs. Morgan Gola had 12 digs, four blocks and six kills, and Alexis Wilt had eight kills and six digs.
With Gaither up 10-9 in the fifth set, Ackart went for a kill from the right side. Both Sickles blockers went for the block, so Ackart casually tapped it just over their hands in the vacated area to earn the point that seemed to break the Gryphons’ spirits.
“That point was huge,” Gaither coach Timothy Boylan said. “She’s such a veteran and knows when to do things like that. Our team is mostly seniors and they usually handle pressure matches like this one well. This is a big win for us and I’m proud of them.”
CLASS 4A DISTRICT 9: In its first season, Steinbrenner went 21-4 (7-0) in the regular season and won the 4A-9 championship match over Lennard in straight sets — 25-7, 25-6, 25-8.
“It’s been an exciting time opening the new school and with the team doing so well this year,” Steinbrenner coach Staci Elies said. “Most of the girls had no experience playing varsity volleyball before this year, but they came together fast and their work has gotten them to this level.”
Libero and co-captain Cary Anne Bame had a team-high six aces and added six digs. Kiristen Liguori led the Warriors with seven kills, while setter and co-captain Sam Drane had 20 assists in the lopsided win.
“It’s great that we’re doing so well, but we always thought we could do this,” Bame said. “Our goal was to get here and now we have to keep playing to our ability at regions.”
