Lady Bees Volleyball

OLD FOE SOLON AWAITS IN DISTRICT FINAL

By Dom DiPasqua / Staff Writer

Wednesday night, October 28, 2009

SOLON – Brecksville-Broadview Heights jumped on Warren Howland early, took sizable leads in all three games, and tamed the Tigers to the tune of a 25-18, 25-14, 25-14 sweep here tonight in a Division I district semi-final contest.

The Lady Bees (21-3) will take on long-time nemesis Solon, the host of the party, in a Halloween matinee. First serve for this Saturday afternoon’s district title tilt is at 2:00pm.

Buckle your seat belts Lady Bee Nation. Despite Solon’s 6-19 overall record the host Lady Comets would like nothing more than to spoil the Bees oustanding season.

It was a year ago that the Bees kn0cked off Solon to end their 11-year vise-grip on the district pennant that had been contested on their home court.  The Comets have won as many matches in the past week, in tournament action, as they have all year.

On the other hand Brecksville has buzzed their way to 12 straight wins and have swept their last four opponents. The Bees are 57-11 in games played this year.

Despite tonight’s late start Brecksville had enough energy left to throttle the over-matched Tigers from Trumbull County. Howland, representing the All-American Conference, bows out with a 13-11 overall slate.

Two aces by senior setter Jacque “Jaws” Reszler and a kill by junior middle hitter Ashley King helped the Bees go on a 5-0 run that broke a 4-4 tie in the opener.

“Our goal was to sweep Howland. We practiced really well the last two nights so we just did what we did in practice and it worked tonight.” Said Reszler, a team captain. “We expected more out of their big girl, but I think our defense totally shut her down. We knew where she was going to hit the ball so we just defended those parts of the floor.”

“We always try to come in and win in three. And tonight we came out and played hard despite the late start time.” Bees head coach Rob Cline said. “We got up on them a little bit and started to hit the ball really hard and it wasn’t coming back.”

A Mel “The Cat” Smith ace and a block by sophomore sensation Abbey “Gail The Whale” Brinkman gave Beeville a 24-18 lead until the Tigers returned game point into the net.

Back-to-back slammer-jammers by Lindsey “Remmy” Remington aided the Bees to an 11-5 advantage in the middle set. Smith added another ace, Reszler blocked a Howland attempt and junioir defensive specialist Andrea Green tallied a pair of aces for a 16-7 Bee lead.

Junior hitter Beckie “The Nigerian Nightmare” Famurewa got untracked for a pair of kills before Remington slammed home the game winner in the Bees, 25-14, triumph.

Brecksville started all three games tonight down a point.

Junior left-side hitter Olivia “The Big O” Chrzanowski was a major factor for the red-clads in the third game. Chrzanowski racked up eight kills to pace her club. Remington continued to have the hot hand and Reszler tipped the wavering Tigers into oblivion.

“Sometimes I don’t find my shot right away, but Jacque did an awesome job setting and I was able to change my shot and get around the big girl when she was blocking.” Chrzanowski said. ” I thought that we played well tonight.”

At one point a Remington hit blasted Howlands’ 6-3 middle hitter in the collar-bone and she was stationed in the middle of the back row. From that point on all the Tigers wanted to do was head for their team bus and the 55-minute ride back to Warren.

“She took a shot. It’s all intimidation. You go out there and give it your all and pound it. If they get a little scared that just gets them off-kilter a little bit.” Remington said. “I always try to hit the ball hard. I didn’t intentionally try to hit her in the collar-bone. Taking a hit to the body is part of the game.”

“We didn’t change too many things from what we normally do. Our defense was good.” Cline said. “Jacque had seven kills as a setter  so even if she has a rare “off night” setting she does so many other things well for us.”

SOLON SHOCKS MUSTANGS!

The look of utter shock and disbelief was written on the faces of the Maple Heights players, coaches and administrators following the Mustangs shocking upset loss to host Solon in tonight’s opening district semi-final match.

The Comets prevailed in five games, after losing the opener. Solon, with the luxury of contesting their play-off matches at home, performed as is they had nothing to lose ( and they didn’t) against the athletic and well-coached Lady Mustangs.

Maple, under veteran head coach Betsy Smerglia,  bows out with a spectacular 20-4 overall slate.

NEXT UP -

If it is a late October Saturday then you have to mark “Solon vs Brecksville” on your volleyball calendar. For at least the seventh year in the past eight the Bees and the Comets will throw their respective records out the window and compete for a district crown and the right to advance to the regional round (Sweet 16) of play in the state tournament.

“Solon didn’t have a good regular season, but they have picked it up. They played really well against Maple Heights.” Remington said. “We are really going to have to give it our all on Saturday to beat them.”

“That’s why we scrimmage here twice, to get used to this court. It is kind of like our second court. We’re very familiar with their players from the J.O. circuit and their coaches.” Cline said. “I kind of knew this this is where we’d be. I’m not surprised that Solon beat Maple because they are starting to peak at the right time. They are a much better team than their win-loss record. Coach (Liz) Sellers will have her team ready to play on Saturday. They have come a long way.”

QUOTE BOOK -

“I found it (black nail polish) in my pocket so I painted them on the bus on the way out here.” — Jacque “Gothic” Reszler.

“Don’t worry, she’s a catcher.” — Rob Cline, regarding Andrea Greens reckless, hustling dive into the first row of bleachers to save a ball which drew oohs an aahs from the crowd.

“Maple Heights gave it their all, but it looked like Solon wanted it more those last few points in the fifth game.” — Olivia Chrzanowski.

“We have to do what we do best on Saturday.” — Rob Cline.

“We are going to stalk Emerald Woods, Preston Village and Arrowhood Estates on Halloween. “  — Said senior libero Mel Smith, who will dress up as “Canoeing Cat” Saturday night.

She’ll join forces with classmates; Ari Prinzbach (Running Buffalo) and Lindsey Remington (Flower Princess) when they don Indian Princess costumes and canvass the streets for sweet treats.

They will be dutifully escorted by fellas with monikers the likes of:  Stetson, Buffalo Ben and Chief Jake. Now that’s a scary thought for any father.

“I’ve been trying to teach Ashley King that mistimed jump for a point all year.” — Rob Cline.

“Come on Maple, let’s see some syrup.” —- Lady Bee junior varsity player, Sierra Prinzbach.

GOOD OMEN -

Veteran assistant coach Kim Brocklehurst smelled this one coming a mile away. After the first game against Howland tonight, Brocklehurst  started the sweeping of the broom motion with her hands, while eye-balling the Tigers sullen body language during the changeover.

CONTRARY TO POPULAR BELIEF –

“Libero is not short for Liberace.” Deadpanned a wag at the scorer’s table recanting the oldest volleyball riddle known to man.

TONIGHT’S STARTERS:

BEES – Smith (L), Brinkman, Reszler, Chrzanowski, Remington, King and Green.

Howland: N/A

See You At The Bee Hive!

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