TONTOGANY – For the second time this season, the Tinora Lady Rams and longtime rival, the Apaches of Fairview met on the volleyball court, this time it was for the right to play for a District title on Wednesday.
The Apaches swept the Lady Rams 3-0 in their match earlier this season way back on September 5, the first game of the GMC season. (25-23, 25-15, 25-23). This was the only conference loss for Tinora, who finished 6-1, one game behind conference Champion Fairview.
The Lady Rams of Tinora entered with a 19-5 record, putting their 12 game winning streak on the line. Fairview entered as the #15 team in DIV III, bringing with them a 22-2 record, the only two lose on the Apache resume were to St Marys and Eastwood.
Fairview entered as the #1 seed in the district, while the Lady Rams came in as a #4 seed.
Set one saw the Apache race out to a quick 8-1 advantage. The Lady Rams responded, cutting the deficit to just five midway through. However, GMC Player of the Year Kelly Crites was too much to handle, Fairview ended the initial set on a 8-0 run, winning the first set 25-12, grabbing a 1-0 advantage.
Set two saw Fairview gain just out to an early lead, however this set was mush tighter than the initial set. The Lady Rams battled throughout, trailing by just one midway through the second set, 13-12. As in set one, the Apaches would go on a run, taking the second set 25-20, grabbing a 2-0 advantage.
Set three, a set Tinora needed if they wanted to extend their magical season. Unfortunately, the reigning GMC Champion Apaches had other thoughts. Fairview never trailed in the set, grabbing the set and the match with a 25-21 win, taking the match 3-0 and advancing to the District Finals on Wednesday.
Fairview improves to 23-2 and will continue their march to the District Finals on Wednesday evening, their opponent, Eastwood, who handed the Apaches one of their two losses this season.
Tinora sees their amazing season come to an end at 19-6. The Lady Rams had a fantastic run in 2023.
The Lady Rams captured a Sectional championship, had one of the longer winning streaks in recent seasons with 12 wins in a row, and finished 6-1 in the GMC. What a great season, ladies.
1st team All GMC: Paige Gamby & Tatum Creps
2nd team All GMC: Kaylee Dickenson
Honorable Mention: Addison Gerken
Tinora’s four member senior class, Scylea Zolman, Dakota Sines, Kaylee Dickinson, and Addison Gerken, thank you for all your years as Lady Rams volleyball players.
You are now all alumni of the Lady Rams volleyball program, but remember, your not an ex-player, you are now a member of one big family.
Current GMC standings 10/24
Tinora Stats:
Addison Gerken 5 digs, 10 assists; Zoe Roesti 10-10 serving, 2 aces, 11 assists; Scylea Zolman 3 kills; Kaylee Dickinson 8 digs, 10-10 serving, 18-20 serve receive; Kallie Snyder 4 kills; Paige Sebring 3 digs, 22-27 serve receive; Paige Gamby 7 kills, 10 digs, 9-10 serving, 2 blocks.
PICS: Mrs. Wells
