Fort ends in 2nd

VERSAILLES, Ohio — The Tribe just needed a win to claim the first conference title in nearly three decades.

Standing on the other side of the court was a defending state champ.

The hosts got to play spoiler.

Fort Recovery High School’s volleyball team wasn’t able to put away the Versailles Tigers on Thursday in a 25-17, 9-25, 17-25, 27-25, 17-15 loss to the defending Division?III state champs.

The loss dipped the Division?IV No. 3 Indians to 7-2 and a second-place finish in the Midwest?Athletic Conference as they fell just short of the program’s first MAC title since 1989.

Cassidy Martin recorded 17 kills to lead Fort Recovery (19-3), which begins postseason play at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at New Bremen against either New Knoxville or Waynesfield Goshen. Paige Fortkamp was second with seven kills.

Whitley Rammel tallied eight blocks, and Hannah Knapke had 19 digs. Madi Rammel tallied 30 digs.

Fort Recovery’s junior varsity team ended its season 20-2 (8-1 MAC) with a 25-14, 25-16 win. Marissa Gaerke finished with 11 kills. Hope Wendel collected 18 assists.