GATES MILLS, Ohio -- What started as a week to forget, ended as one to remember for the top-ranked Division II volleyball team in the coaches state poll. With Monday's loss to No.2-ranked Kenston a distant memory, Lake Catholic regrouped to win four straight matches, including three on Saturday en route to capturing the eight-team Lancer Invitational at Gilmour...
GATES MILLS, Ohio -- What started as a week to forget, ended as one to remember for the top-ranked Division II volleyball team in the coaches state poll.
With Monday's loss to No.2-ranked Kenston a distant memory, Lake Catholic regrouped to win four straight matches, including three on Saturday en route to capturing the eight-team Lancer Invitational at Gilmour Academy.
Lake Catholic (20-2) breezed in a 25-3, 25-17 victory over Fairview (3-17) then to a 25-16, 25-14 verdict over Tiffin Columbian (10-12) before being taken to the limit in a 20-25, 25-17, 25-23 title-match triumph over 14th-ranked Beaumont (17-5).
"We were a little unfocused in the first set and having Bridget [Grdina] go down forced us to make some adjustments we weren't planning," said senior/tournament most valuable player Nicole Snyder, one of two of the Cougars' left-handed rightside hitters. "We just picked up the momentum in the second set because volleyball's all about momentum."
Lake Catholic had a 5-4 lead in the first set when Grdina, a senior outside hitter/Kent State recruit, sprained her ankle and didn't return.
Two kills, a block and an assist by sophomore Lauren Youngblood helped Beaumont break an 18-18 tie and clinch the first set.
"We were trying to go for line and hit off their outside blocker but every spot is different," said Snyder, who teamed up with 6-0 freshman lefty/all-tournament selection Abby Detering for 20 kills.
"They're tough to defend because they have Youngblood in the middle and Dori [Harrison] can just bomb it."
Youngblood and Harrison, an all-tournament junior, were just as effective at the net as the Blue Streaks' twosome totaled 22 kills.
"They play a man-up defense, then switch back and we're not used to that," said Beaumont's all-tournament senior setter Abbey Cvelbar, who gave her oral commitment to Eastern Kentucky prior to the championship match. "Their two lefties on the outside make you adjust line because they're good at cranking it."
All-tournament senior setter Audry Lucha dished out 18 assists and sophomore defensive specialist Sam Kline had a team-high 14 digs for the Cougars.
"Their outsides are small but they set that college, 5- to 7-foot line ball and they move the ball around really well," said Beaumont coach Pat Royer. "We play an option offense so it's about whoever is open and can make a good read on the ball, but Lake's a phenomenal team."
Beaumont advanced to the title match by defeating Solon, 21-25, 25-18, 25-18 before scoring a huge 17-25, 25-20, 25-21 win over the host Lancers (18-4), ranked No.6 in Division III.
"We got away from attacking the middle and I don't why," said Gilmour coach Kelly Coughlin. "After we took the first set from [Beaumont] it was like, 'Yeah, we can win this match,' and played not to lose instead of playing to win."
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: bfortuna@plaind.com, 216-999-4665