Golfers finish fifth in MAC

CELINA, Ohio — Jeff Vaughn wanted the Indians to focus on having fun and getting better at golf.

They happened to find some success as well.

The Fort Recovery High School girls golf team finished sixth of nine at the Midwest Athletic Conference meet at Mercer County Elks Golf Club on Thursday. The MAC named the tournament after late Fort Recovery coach Joe Bruns who passed away Aug. 24 during a battle with cancer.

Fort Recovery (7-7, 4-4 MAC) finished with 448 strokes, just one over fifth-place Marion Local and 78 over first-place Minster.

Olivia Knapke shot a 102 to lead the Indians. MAC Player of the Year Ella Porter of Versailles was the match medalist with 81 strokes.

Other Indian scores came from Ella Schoen (113), Emma Will (116) and Eva Kahlig (117). Brynn Stammen’s 118 and Marissa Schoen’s 121 didn’t affect the team score.

The Indians finished fourth in the regular season, tying with St. John’s at 4-4 but had the advantage with the head-to-head. After the conference tournament, the Indians sit in fifth. Minster was the MAC champion.

Knapke was named to the All-MAC second team. She was 2.5 points behind Madison Louth of Parkway, who took the final spot on the first team.

Emma Will, Eva Kahlig and Ella Schoen earned All-MAC honorable mention.

Indians top Flyers­

MARIA STEIN, Ohio — The Division III No. 6 Fort Recovery volleyball team bounced back with a 25-22, 25-19, 17-25, 25-18 win over the Division IV No. 8 Marion Local Flyers on Thursday.

Teigan Fortkamp exploded for 21 kills for the Indians (9-2, 4-1 MAC), who were undefeated before suffering consecutive losses to Division IV No. 3 Crestview and Division III No. 2 Coldwater on Monday and Tuesday. 

Paige Guggenbiller also had her best match of the year, earning nine kills and three blocks.

Mara Pearson and Kennedy Muhlenkamp followed up with nine and six kills, respectively. They filled the stat sheet outside of attacking as well. They combined for 15 digs and two blocks, while Mulenkamp recorded an ace and 19 assists as well.

Kayla Heitkamp was nearly perfect on serves, going 20-for-21 with an ace against the Flyers (8-1, 1-4 MAC). She also had 16 assists, 11 digs and one kill.

The Indians will get a break against Newton on Monday before facing another ranked team in St. Henry on Sept. 28.