District semifinals, Division 3
at Mount Vernon Nazarene University
Fairbanks 3, Fredericktown 0
Top-seeded Milford Center Fairbanks took down fifth-seed Fredericktown (18-7) in straight sets by scores of 26-24, 25-17, 28-26, on Oct. 25. The Freddies came into the round after defeating No. 20 Utica 3-1 (23-25, 25-16, 25-12, 25-16) and No. 22 seed Columbus School For Girls, 3-0 (25-10, 25-10, 25-8). No. 1 Fairbanks got to the round after drawing a bye, then by defeating No. 21-seed Johnstown Northridge, 3-0 (25-5, 25-8, 25-14).
All three sets were tight, and all could have gone either way, but superior net work, attacking and blocking by Fairbanks neutralized Fredericktown’s offensive and defensive work. The Panthers looked like a No. 1 seed and amassed 40 kills, served at a 98.7% serve rate with seven aces, and had eight blocks and 81 digs in the match.
Fairbanks takes on No. 8 seed Worthington Christian in the next round, with the winner going to the District championships.
Worthington Christian 3, Centerburg 2
No.8 seed Worthington Christian (13-11) eliminated No. 4 seed Centerburg (17-6) by a 3-2, match score, with set scores of 18-25, 25-21, 25-21, 16-25, 15-10 on Oct. 25.
After a first-round bye, Worthington Christian downed No. 12 Gahanna Columbus Academy 3-2 (23-25, 25-17, 25-10, 16-25, 15-11) to earn a face-off with the Trojans. Centerburg reached the semis by beating Columbus Tree of Life, who had beaten Columbus Africentic, 3-1. The Lady Trojans won in straight sets, 3-0 (25-16, 25-9, 25-13).
The semifinal match was a fierce back-and-forth battle. The Lady Trojans took the first set and fought to the end of the second as WC evened the match and then stormed ahead in an equally tight third set. Inspired, Centerburg took the fourth set before falling in the deciding fifth.
Worthington Christian moves on the play No. 1 seed Milford Center Fairbanks in the final.
Other match scores
No. 2 seed Cardington-Lincoln (20-3) took on No. 15 Bishop Ready (5-13), Thursday night in the District semifinals, Division 3, at Mount Vernon Nazarene and won 3-0.
No. 13 seed Northmor (10-13) took on No. 7 seed Marion Pleasant on Thursday night in the District semifinals, Division 2,and lost 3-2.
No. 2 seed Highland (21-3) took on No. 4 seed London (22-2) Thursday night in the District semifinals, Division 2,and won 3-0
