No. 1 Flyers top Fort

FORT RECOVERY — Playing quality competition late in the season can be a great way for a team to prepare for the tournament.
The Indians could not have asked for a more challenging opponent to battle in their final match of the regular season.
Fort Recovery High School’s volleyball team battled the Division IV No. 1 Marion Local Flyers Thursday, suffering a 25-12, 25-17, 25-19 defeat.
Tournament play starts Tuesday as the Indians travel to Van Wert to take on Fairview in the Division III sectional at 6:15 p.m.
“I always think it’s a good thing. You always want good competition going into the tournament,” said FRHS coach Diana Rammel. “And you can’t beat competition like that. It’s the best you can get.
“They are just a fantastic team. They don’t make too many mistakes.”
The win finished off an impressive Midwest Athletic Conference run for defending state champion Marion Local. It did not lose a single game in running to its second straight 9-0 league record.
The Flyers (21-1) have dropped just two games out of 59 all season, both in their 25-21, 21-25, 25-17 loss to Mother of Mercy.
“Honestly it really wasn’t even a team goal this year,” said Marion Local coach Amy Steininger of her team’s MAC dominance. “We just talked about it for the first time going into tonight’s match actually. … In the conference it’s so tough to do. We’re really proud of the girls. It’s quite an accomplishment.
“But we start a new season tomorrow. That’s the way we’re looking at it.”
Fort Recovery (7-15, 2-7 MAC) managed to stay within striking distance of the Flyers for the first 20 to 25 points of each game, but the visitors pulled away each time.
In the opening game the Indians trailed just 11-8 after a couple of Marion Local errors. But then the Flyers put together a 12-2 run, thanks in part to an outstanding effort at the net from senior Alyssa Winner (11 kills, three aces) and junior Margaret Wuebker (seven kills).
Kills from Ericka Lennartz and Olivia Thien close the Tribe’s gap to 12-9 in the second game before Marion Local gradually pulled away again. A four-point sport capped by an ace from Winner gave them a 21-13 en route to the victory.
The Flyers, going heavily to their bench, rolled out to a 9-2 lead in the third game before Fort Recovery roared back. It scored four points, including an ace, on Holly Brunswick’s serve and went on a 10-3 run to pull even.
However, Kelly Schlarman ran off five service points as Marion Local reclaimed control and finished the Indians in three.
“I think it’s their defense (that makes them so tough),” said Rammel. “They just pick everything up. Nothing drops. And it’s hard to find that hole. And their blockers are quick. That makes it hard.”
Nicole Schwieterman led the defensive effort with 10 digs. Laura Schwieterman and Stacey Huber each had eight assists.
Holly Brunswick totaled seven kills, five points and two blocks, all team highs, to go along with nine digs in the final home match of her career. Fellow senior Shelby Brunswick, who was able to cause the Flyers some problems with her service game, had eight assists, four points, two aces and two blocks.
Abby Backs finished with 13 digs, and senior Olivia Thien had six kills.

Junior varsity
The Indians closed their season with a 25-13, 25-13 loss to Marion Local.
Kelsey Fiely set the pace for Fort Recovery with six digs, three kills and three points. Emily Link also had six digs, and Heather Vaughn scored three points.[[In-content Ad]]