Title hopes still alive for Indians

VERSAILLES, Ohio — The Indians took care of the Tigers on Tuesday.

Their hopes for a conference title are still alive.

The Fort Recovery High School volleyball team defeated the Versailles Tigers 25-17, 25-16, 25-11, keeping it in second place in the conference as the defending champions were dethroned in New Bremen.

The Indians, ranked sixth in Division IV, move to 17-3 overall and 7-1 in Midwest Athletic Conference play. The defending state champion New Bremen Cardinals (19-2, 7-1 MAC), the top-ranked team in the state, lost in three sets Tuesday to the No. 2 New Knoxville Rangers (18-0, 8-0 MAC) to fall into a tie with the Tribe for second place behind the Rangers.

New Knoxville’s win captured the Rangers’ first MAC title since 2005, and it can win it outright with a victory Thursday against No. 5 Marion Local Flyers. If the Flyers win, the Rangers will share the conference title with the winner of Thursday’s contest between Fort Recovery and New Bremen.

Paige Fortkamp registered 13 kills Tuesday in the win against Versailles. Whitley Rammel was second with 11 kills, and Marissa Gaerke contributed five kills.

Kierra Wendel led the squad with 13 digs, with Gaerke’s 11 behind her.

Hope Wendel collected 18 assists, and Faith Wendel tallied 11 assists.

Fort Recovery’s junior varsity team also won, 25-18, 25-18.