VOLLEYBALL: Tigers topped by Minster in 3 sets

The Lady Wildcats took the sets by scores of 25-11, 25-8, and 25-13.

Minster is now 11-12 on the season. They advance to a sectional final on Thursday to face #2 seed Marion Local.

Waynesfield-Goshen ends the season with a record of 4-18.

Minster coach Cami Garman said she felt fortunate that the team got an opportunity for one more match on the home floor, especially for the two seniors, Lyndi Hemmelgarn and Kylie Williams.

“We came out with good energy,” she said, “We played relaxed volleyball.” She added that Minster “took care of the ball. W-G threw a lot of stuff at us and we did a good job of staying calm.”

Lady Tigers coach Kelly Searson said that “(Minster) was better than us,” adding that W-G blocked well and passed good at times but “they can hit and there’s nothing you can do.”

For Minster, Kayla Lamm and Lilly Barhorst each had 10 kills, with seven by Addi Inskeep.

Barhorst had 11 digs, Hemmelgarn had nine and Macy Prenger got seven.

Alayna Prenger had six aces. Lamm and Hemmelgarn each got three, Hannah Oldiges hit two, and Macy Prenger added one.

In the opening set, the teams traded the first couple of points, then a small run by Minster put them ahead 6-2.

Waynesfield-Goshen scored four of the next five points to stay close.

A block by Lamm made it 8-6 for Minster and gave them back the serve. With Oldiges hitting from the back line, Minster swung into a groove and scored 10 straight points.

The Lady Tigers called a timeout midway through that run, but couldn’t break the momentum.

After one point for W-G, Minster scored five of the next six to get up 23-8. Shortly thereafter, they got the final two points to take the set.

The second set saw W-G tie it a few times early on. They were within two points at 8-6 before another big Wildcats streak.

This time it was Lamm with the serving backed up by the rest of her teammates. They scored 11 unanswered to go ahead 19-6.

A hit that sailed long and another point went W-G’s way, but Minster’s Alayna Prenger had three straight aces and Barhorst ended the set with a kill.

The third set saw the Lady Tigers get the opening point. They would tie it at 3, and after giving up a couple, scored three in a row to take a 6-5 lead.

Kills by Barhorst and Megan Fortman put the hosts back ahead and they added two more.

Minster would allow one point before starting another run with Macy Prenger on serve. Six straight points went to Minster for a 15-7 advantage.

After an error, Minster put up three for a double-digit lead at 18-8.

The rest of the match saw Waynesfield-Goshen scored five more points as Minster used a series of small runs to close out the sweep.

The sectional finals will be played Thursday with doubleheaders at the two top seeds.

At Marion Local, Perry will face New Knoxville at 6 p.m., followed by Minster and the Lady Flyers.

At New Bremen, the Lady Cardinals face the winner of Upper Scioto Valley and Lima Central Catholic, followed by Temple Christian and Spencerville.

The district semifinals will be at Wapakoneta next Tuesday.