2FAIRFIELD – The Versailles Lady Tigers extended its consecutive District Title to 10 and 24th District Championship overall with an impressive 3-0 win over the Sabina East Clinton Lady Astros.
“You can tell Versailles has built that culture in the volleyball area,” said Versailles coach, Liz McNeilan. “The girls just love to play, at the end of the day they enjoy each other, this group especially. I’ve seen a lot of comradery, just having each other’s backs.”
“Today we had some girls that didn’t come out with their best games they’ve played but it built up over the game and you saw it come together, you saw the extra high fives,” McNeilan continued. “You create a culture when you do things like that and you want to win and you want to have each other’s backs and you want to drive everyone in that right direction to get those championships. I really think like we have seen that throughout the years.”
Versailles started slow by Lady Tigers’ standards before grabbing 15-8 a first set lead bringing an East Clinton timeout. Versailles quickly pulled away to grab a 25-11 first set win and lead 1-0 on the night.
“I think I am going to name them the comeback kids,” McNeilan stated. “The first couple of points you have to let them figure it out, you have to let them see the tempo of the game, study the game, get comfortable and then do your thing.”
Set No. 2 had Versailles taking a 12-8 lead with the Lady Atros bench calling for a timeout. Unable to slow down Versailles, the Lady Tigers would use a 13-3 scoring run to defeat East Clinton 25-11 and go up 2-0.
East Clinton did not have an answer for Lady Tigers’ dominant play and bowed out of 2022 tournament action with a 25-15 third and final set loss with Versailles winning its third consecutive double digit set of the night while earning the program’s 10th District Title in as many years.
Coach McNeilan was pleased with the Lady Tigers defensive play in securing a spot in the 2022 Sweet 16.
“Serve receive and defense are going to control the game,” McNeilan noted. “You can have the best setters in the world but if you don’t have those girls behind you, you’re not coming out with a W a lot.”
The Lady Tigers will face Cardington-Lincoln, 3-1 winners over Marion Pleasant, Thursday, November 3rd at Kettering’s Trent Arena with a 6 p.m. start time.
“We’re excited for the games next week,” said Coach McNeilan.
