Tribe tames Tigers

With a tendency of getting content after winning the opening set, the Indians found themselves in a familiar situation Monday.
After giving up consecutive points out of a timeout, they still didn’t fret too much.
They simply listened to their coach.
The Fort Recovery High School volleyball team weathered an early storm in the second set and were in control the rest of the way in sweeping the visiting Ansonia Tigers, 25-9, 25-19, 25-16 at Fort Site Fieldhouse.
“I just mainly told them to get mean and get aggressive,” said FRHS coach Chelsea Rogers, who called a timeout with the Indians trailing 6-2 in the second set. “We got back on our heels a little bit and got too comfortable.
“I don’t worry a whole lot and I think that’s a change from this year to last year.”
And that’s precisely what the Indians (13-7) did, going on a 6-1 run to get within one point, 9-8. A service error by Ansonia (15-4) started the streak, during which Cassy Martin notched one of her seven kills and the Tigers committed two more errors.
Later on with the Tribe trailing 12-11, another Tiger serve error tied the score, and Martin followed with a block to put the Indians in the lead and they were never behind again.
“Our front row has a lot more options with the 6-2 we’re running,” said Rodgers, noting the play of hitters Carley Stone (10 kills), Paige Jutte (seven kills), Devin Post (two kills) and Martin. “I think Paige is getting more confidence as the year is going on. She has a long way to go, I think. She has a lot of doubt in herself but she is getting there.”
Ansonia called a timeout later in the set trailing 19-18, and tied it briefly as the Indians failed successfully return Traeva Newland’s serve.
But another service error — the Tigers had seven total for the evening — gave the Tribe the lead again, and Madi Rammel served the final five points of the set.”
In the third set, Fort Recovery nabbed a 17-10 advantage, forcing Ansonia coach Craig Reithman into calling a timeout in hopes of stopping the Indians’ four-point run. Out of the break, Newland had a running tip to start a five-point run, during which Kassie Wentworth tallied back-to-back aces and the Indians had a pair of attack errors.
Still, Rogers wasn’t too concerned.
“I am confident, if we are down, for them to rally back,” she said.
The Indians and Tigers traded the next two points, before the home team notched the final seven for the match victory.
In addition to having four solid hitters, Rogers said she hopes the Tribe’s ability to overcome adversity — such as its complacency with a set advantage — will work to its benefit during the final week of the regular season and into tournament play.
“We still have a shot to be at the top of the totem pole,” she said. “We’re ready. I think they’re confident after the tournament draw, getting at third seed, getting a good bracket and being able to play at home a couple times.
“I think that got them excited.”
The Indians, who received the No. 3 seed in the Division III Kalida District, finish Midwest Athletic Conference play this week as they host Minster tonight and travel to New Knoxville on Thursday. With two matches remaining, Rogers doesn’t expect to change much to prepare for the postseason.
“Honestly, it’s doing what we have been all year, just fine-tuning a couple things, staying competitive and aggressive,” she said of the focus for the remainder of the week. “I don’t think we’re changing a whole lot. We just want to stay competing until tournament time.”

Junior varsity
Fort Recovery made quick work of Ansonia, defeating the Tigers 25-9, 25-13.
Hannah Knapke led the Indians with six kills, while also adding three digs. Val Muhlenkamp chipped in with four kills and a team-high five aces, and Olivia Patch also had four kills.
Bailee Tebbe and Rachel Acheson notched six and five assists respectively.