High school volleyball: Area players compete in Coaches Association all-star game

WESTFIELD TWP. — Seventeen local volleyball players earned the right to play in the Ohio High School Volleyball Coaches Association District 3 senior all-star matches at Cloverleaf High School on Friday night. In the opening match, Team 1 was led by state championship-winning coach Kara Coffman from Avon as Eagles players Lily Hamilton, Londyn Stone and Bethany Sherwood teamed up one last time. Hamilton made things look easy by starting the first set with a run of nine points including a pair of aces. "This has been such a whirlwind, it feels like I've been playing volleyball five years just this season," said Hamilton, who had seven kills and three aces. "It's bittersweet. I realized halfway through the match that this was going to be the last time I would be setting (for) Londyn. "It was great to end it with a bang and there is no better way to finish up my career." Joining the Eagles on Team 1 were Lexi Schrader from Firelands and two players from Amherst — Kendal Dobbins (four kills, one ace) and Dani Dury. After Team 1's amazing start, Team 2, coached by Avon Lake's Kristin Primozic, finally figured out how to play together and started creeping back into the game. A pair of Kendalls from Avon Lake — Holley (five kills) and Bondar — helped lead the comeback with two and six kills, respectively, as Team 2 rallied to finish the first set in a 25-all tie. Playing with the Avon Lake girls were Sara Afaneh from Brookside, and Hannah Szunyogh and Ellie Pruitt from Open Door. "Tonight was definitely enjoyable, having all three of us (including Emily Loeffler) on the floor together at the same time," Bondar said. "I really didn't know anyone else on my team, I never played with or against any of them, but by the end, we all were playing so well together. "It took a while to get used to everyone, but by the end we were all playing so well together and it was just a great way to finish up playing volleyball." Team 1 held on to win the second set 25-19 to round out the first match. There were five more local girls playing in the second match of the night under Black River coach Courtney Dieter. They were Sydney Dales from North Ridgeville, Columbia's Lexi Miller, Sophia Beck from Wellington and Black Rivers' Morgan Kubitz and Remington Dieter. Remington, daughter of Courtney, still has life left in her high school volleyball career as she was chosen to represent Divisions VI-VII at the state all-star volleyball matches at Wooster High School on Sunday. "It means a lot to me to be chosen to play in the state all-star game," said Dieter, who finished the year with 55 aces, 480 digs and 45 assists. "I'm going to be able to see some of these all-district and All-Ohio players up close on Sunday. I can't wait to wear my jersey one more time to represent my school." Contact James Brady at (440) 329-7135 or jbrady_ct@yahoo.com.