Print | Comments | Tell a Friend | Larger Text | Smaller Text | Bookmark and Share

Local Sports

Tuesday, November 03, 2009

Trojans, Rocky River Magnificat familiar foes
Interstate Court Plaza - Findlay - I-75 Exit #159
By Dave Hanneman

staff writer

Findlay plays its volleyball games on one side of the state. Rocky River Magnificat plays its volleyball games on the other.

FHS coach Ryan Shifley doesn't have to go scrounging for a scouting report on the Blue Streaks, however. All he has to do is review last year's notes.

“They have a lot of their kids back. We have a lot of our kids back,” Shifley said.

“It's probably going to look a lot like last year, hopefully with different results.”

Findlay and Magnificat clashed in last year's Division I regional semifinal at Norwalk, with the Blue Streaks rallying to beat the Trojans 24-26, 25-23, 25-19, 26-24. Wednesday they will do it all again when Findlay (22-3) and Magnificat (22-3) take the court for the 6 p.m. regional semifinal.

Toledo St. Ursula (23-2) and Amherst Steele (22-3) meet in Wednesday's second semifinal, with the winners returning at 2 p.m. Saturday to decide who advances to the Division I state tournament.

“The road gets tougher and tougher the farther you go. But I'm very confident they can go as far in this tournament as they really want to,” Shifley said of his Trojans.

“I don't think we're intimidated going to regionals. People expected us to be at this level. I don't know how many people think we can win the regional, but we do.”

Finding out about the talent, tendencies and technique of teams on the other side of the state can pose a problem when teams reach the regional. Fortunately, Shifley already has book on the Blue Streaks, and a good idea of how the two teams stack up.

“They have some really tall girls who are powerful hitters, just like they did last year,” Shifley said.

“It's going to be a battle of two different ways of playing volleyball. We're not a tall team, so we like to move the ball quickly around the court. They have a much higher offense, but a very powerful offense. Our offense may not be as powerful, but we're very quick and we direct the ball well.

“It will be interesting to see how the two styles play out.”

Regional volleyball action continues Thursday at Elida where three area teams will looking to earn a trip to the Division IV state tournament.

Kalida (17-6) and Hopewell-Loudon (24-1) square off in a 6 p.m. semifinal and Antwerp (19-6) takes on Columbus Grove (21-3) in the second matchup. The winners return at 2 p.m. Saturday for the regional championship and a bid to the state semifinals on Nov. 12.

Hanneman, 419-427-8408

Send an e-mail to Dave Hanneman


Subscribe to The Courier.
Comment on This Story
NOTE: Comment moderation has been enabled. If you see a comment that violates our Electronic User Agreement, please e-mail webmaster@thecourier.com. Thank you. If you are having problems viewing this Web page, please contact our Internet Department to help us diagnose and correct the problem. We may contact you for more information. Thanks in advance.
Your e-mail address will not be displayed on this website or shared with anyone. It is used by our online editor for contacting purposes.
Comments are moderated by The Courier according to its Electronic User Agreement within one business day. Comments that slander others or include language that violates the agreement will be rejected. All comments that impart opinion and information are welcome.

SBO

   SPORTS VIDEO

Talkin' football

Fostoria Review Times sports editor Scott Cottos joined Courier sports reporters Jamie Baker and Dave Hanneman to talk about four key games coming up in Week 2.
   SPECIAL SECTIONS
Summer Coupons
   AREA SPORTS

Local Sports
Duffel Bag

Duffel Bag

The Courier's Sports Duffel Bag carries local sports announcements like camps, clinics and coaching vacancies.

  LATEST COMMENTS Last 10 comments submitted by our readers...
Dave wrote in article "Shooting video released":
Suspect chose the outcome
“ This loser knew how this little incident was going to end! He knew EXACTLY what was gonna happen when he pretended to level a w... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 12:49:00 PM
disgusted in Findlay wrote in article "Heroin outbreak":
speaking the truth
“ Thank you "just saying" and "Ykfm" I to am getting tired of grandpa Tony trying to paint his grandson as a victim, whenhe was ac... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 12:39:40 PM
just sayin wrote in article "31 charged in Hardin drug probe":
drugs
“ sick of the whiners...kenton has more drugs than findlay ?how would you know that unless your involved in the drug scene?I love... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 12:08:35 PM
tired of this wrote in article "Shooting video":
benton ridge shooting
“ Well leave it to the courier to keep sterring the pot. The video that the courier itself posted clearly shows the suspect jump o... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 12:03:53 PM
just sayin wrote in article "Heroin outbreak":
the courier
“ what good does it do to blog on the couriers web site when the courier only post the blogs they want you to read how about posti... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 12:02:38 PM
retired OH cop in MT wrote in article "Shooting video released":
shooting
“ Nate.....after reading your comments, you wouldn't live long on the street as a police officer. I was involved in two shootings... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 11:30:30 AM
SICK OF THE WHINERS wrote in article "31 charged in Hardin drug probe":
DRUG BUST
“ Kenton has alot more drugs than Findlay!!! To those of you who don't like Hancock county, LEAVE! Everytime law enforcement in... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 11:19:09 AM
The Layman wrote in article "Parole denied in murder case":
Out of control
“ I'm sorry but there are way too many personal attacks allowed on this forum. You invalidate your point when you stray from the f... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 11:08:44 AM
j wrote in article "Many winners named as Hancock Fair opens":
Good but little expensive
“ The fair was interesting, but at $5 for the more popular rides on the expensive side, same with the food, many people commented... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 10:37:10 AM
JM wrote in article "McComb couple is serious about fair competition":
Very nice!
“ What a lovely article. Will have to check out their goods at the fair. ” Read More...
9/2/2010 10:21:42 AM
   LOCAL HEADLINES
  NATIONAL SPORTS