KETTERING – The Mississinawa Valley volleyball team defeated Jackson Center in straight sets in the first round of the OHSAA DVII North 2 Sectional. It marks the first post season win for the Blackhawks since the WOAC started in 2021.
Mississinawa Valley’s serving game was on fire and maybe aided a bit by a little sleight of hand magic in the first set scoring 5 times where the ball hit the top of the net and dropped down for a point. But that doesn’t take away from the hot start and service from seniors Danika Neargarder and Cora Hoggatt as the Blackhawks opened up 10-2 lead. They then had leads of 14-4, 16-7 and 19-10 before the Tigers clawed back to 20-16. Mississinawa was able to close out the first game strong winning it 25-17.
In the second set the Hawks had leads of 4-1, 8-4 and 10-5 before Jackson Center found their groove. The Tigers got hot at the line serving and more aggressive with their offense going on a 7-0 run to go in front 12-10 prompting a timeout by coach Taylor Rawlings.
“We didn’t really focus a lot on the being down so much as what we needed to do and just playing the game one point at a time,” Rawlings would say in the timeout.
Jackson Center would score the next point to go up 13-10, then MV finally broke the 8-point run on senior Allyson Waymire’s slam over the middle. Senior Makenna Hoggatt then got a couple of jump serves to go down to regain the lead 16-13 before JC broke her serve.
Back-to-back points at the net from Waymire and junior Gretchen Rodeheffer extended the lead to 18-14 … but the Tigers roared back again to tie it up at 18.
Mississinawa freshman Ella Livingston 3 straight serves led to points before the Tigers broke her for a 21-19 lead. Set two could have gone either way but the Blackhawks were just a bit stronger at the net … set-up beautifully by Danika Neargarder, to win it 25-22.
Mississinawa had pretty much taken the wind out of the Tigers and would win the final set fairly easy 25-16 for the straight set win and first tournament victory for seniors Danika Neargarder, Makenna and Cora Hoggatt and Allyson Waymire.
“I’m so proud of this team they had a really good season and to win a tournament game for this team means a lot and I couldn’t be happier for our seniors,” coach Rawlings stated.
In her first season as the coach Rawlings team would go 18-4, 10-1 in the WOAC and now moves to 19-4 with their win over Jackson Center.
“I know their (JC) record coming in was just 7-15 but they play in a very tough conference and they have hall-of-fame coach Kim Metz (who I just love) and has won a state championship so you know you have to play well and focused to get a win,” Rawlings explained.
#5 seed Mississinawa will play #2 seed Covington (18-5) in the district semi-final game. The Buccs beat Miami Valley and is riding a 7-game win streak, the two will play Monday, October 20th, 7pm at Kettering Fairmont High School.
