skip navigation

Wildcats Move On to the OHSBVA Regional Final

By Eli Maistros '24, 05/25/22, 2:30PM EDT

Share

The Volleyball Cats sweep Stow-Munroe Falls to advance to the Regional Final on Saturday.

OHIO CITY, Oh - It was a high-stakes Regional Semifinal match-up between the Saint Ignatius Volleyball Wildcats and the Stow-Munroe Falls Bulldogs. It only took three sets for the Wildcats to advance, dismantling the Bulldogs in a sweep.

Saint Ignatius ran through Stow with ease in the first set, winning the set 25-12. The Wildcats opened the match by taking a commanding 6-1 lead in the first set. After an error by the Bulldogs, the Wildcats took a 1-0 match lead. As a team, the Cats would total 12 kills and 12 assists, primed in their opening playoff match-up.

The second set was more similar for the Wildcats, as they overpowered the Bulldogs again, winning 25-11. The Cats fell behind early to the Bulldogs, but it wasn't long for Saint Ignatius to gain momentum, rallying for seven points to take a 10-4 lead. Jack Kanzig would catch fire as the server, totaling three aces as the Cats scored the final six points unanswered to take a 2-0 match lead. The Wildcats accumulated ten kills, ten assists and five aces in the set victory.

However, the third set was a bit more complex, as the Bulldogs fought for their season. They stayed in the contest throughout the set, posting scores such as 7-5, 10-10 and even took a late lead when they went up 18-17. However, the Wildcats were able to pull away and would finish the set, winning 25-21 and advancing to the Regional Final. A Patrick O'Neill spike would seal the deal, as the Cats totaled nine kills, eight assists and four aces in the final set.

We showed up to play tonight," says sophomore setter Patrick Maly. "We brought the energy and excitement we needed and the passing and hitting were on fire tonight."

The Wildcats will move on to play Akron Firestone in the Regional Final with a berth into the State Tournament on the line. The first serve is set for 11:30 a.m. at Walsh Jesuit High School on Saturday.