Tinora rallies past Crestview in five sets to capture District Championship

Dominique, Addington lead offensive attack as Lady Rams overcome 2-1 Deficit; Five Tinora players earn GMC All-Conference recognition

LIMA, Ohio — The Tinora Lady Rams are district champions yet again.

Behind outstanding performances from sophomore Addison Dominique and freshman Braleigh Addington, Tinora rallied from a 2-1 match deficit Thursday night at Lima Senior High School to defeat the Crestview Knights in five sets, 23-25, 25-21, 20-25, 25-16, 15-10, capturing the Division VI district championship and earning a trip to the regional tournament in Fostoria next Thursday vs. St. Henry.

Dominique led the Lady Rams with 27 kills and 15 digs, while Addington delivered 18 kills and two blocks in one of the biggest matches of the season for the young Tinora squad.

The 19-5 Lady Rams entered the championship matchup against a dangerous Crestview team carrying a 15-9 record. Despite the difference in records, the Knights proved they were a formidable opponent. Their nine losses had come against teams with a combined record of 169-46.

Both programs featured talented young players playing significant roles throughout the season. Tinora freshman Addington, a first-team All-GMC selection, and Dominique, a second-team All-GMC honoree, were among the leaders for the Lady Rams. They were joined by first-team All-GMC selections Ella Schaublin and Macy Behnfeldt, along with honorable mention selection Kalli Wells.

Crestview also featured several players recognized for their accomplishments this season. Sophomores Ayla Kreischer and Kaylee Owens earned Northwest Conference recognition, with Kreischer receiving first-team honors and Owens earning second-team honors. Kaci Gregory was also named first-team All-NWC, while Crestview head coach Tammy Gregory received NWC Coach of the Year recognition.

Crestview takes opening set

The opening set featured two evenly matched teams trading points throughout the early stages. Tinora held a narrow 13-12 advantage midway through the set, with Addington and Dominique each contributing two kills.

Behnfeldt, a first-team All-GMC selection, made her presence felt defensively, coming up with several outstanding diving digs to keep rallies alive. She finished the evening with 18 digs, 19 successful serves on 21 attempts, three service aces and 13 successful serve receptions on 14 attempts. She also contributed four assists.

However, Crestview shifted the momentum with a critical 6-0 scoring run, turning a 13-11 deficit into a 17-13 advantage. Kinley Crider delivered an ace during the surge, as the Knights capitalized on several Tinora service errors and net violations.

Crestview continued to maintain control, building leads of 21-16 and 23-18. Tinora refused to go quietly, scoring consecutive points to pull within 24-22. Dominique recorded her fourth kill of the set, forcing Crestview to use a timeout.

The Knights were called for a net violation on what would have been a set-clinching point, giving Tinora another opportunity. However, the Lady Rams next serve found the net, allowing Crestview to claim the opening set, 25-23.

Rams respond to even the match

Crestview carried its momentum into the second set, jumping out to an early 12-7 lead after taking the initial set. Tinora responded with improved play and gradually worked its way back into the contest, eventually tying the set at 13-13.

The Lady Rams began finding their offensive rhythm. Dominique, who would finish with a match-high 27 kills, delivered an important attack, while Schaublin, a first-team All-GMC selection, added an ace to help Tinora take a 20-17 advantage and force another Crestview timeout.

Schaublin provided an important contribution throughout the match, finishing with five kills, 19 digs, one block and a team-high 42 assists. She also recorded one ace on 21 successful serves in 24 attempts.

Tinora maintained its composure down the stretch, capturing eight of the final 12 points to close out the set.

The Lady Rams evened the match at one set apiece with a 25-21 victory. Improved serving proved to be an important difference after Tinora struggled with service errors in the opening set.

Knights move within one set of the Title

The third set opened with both teams executing offensively before Crestview began to establish control.

The Knights put together an 8-3 run to stretch their advantage to 15-8. Tinora struggled with three consecutive hitting errors during the stretch, while Crestview continued applying pressure from the service line, recording three aces in the set.

Tinora attempted to battle back, but Crestview continued to answer.

After a block and a kill from Addington helped the Rams close the gap to 24-20, Crestview sophomore Kaylee Owens delivered the deciding spike to finish the set.

Owens, a second-team All-NWC selection, came through with an important offensive play to put the Knights one set away from the district championship.

The Knights claimed a 25-20 victory and moved within one set of the title, taking a 2-1 advantage in the match.

Tinora answers with season on the line

Facing elimination, Tinora responded with perhaps its strongest stretch of volleyball of the evening.

The Lady Rams came out aggressively in the fourth set, building a commanding 12-4 advantage. Wells, Dominique, Addington and Schaublin all contributed multiple kills during the early offensive surge.

Wells, who received honorable mention All-GMC recognition, finished with six kills, five digs and one block. Dominique continued to lead the offensive attack, while Schaublin helped distribute the ball effectively, recording 42 assists.

Crestview continued to battle, but Tinora had found its rhythm. Addington, the first-team All-GMC freshman standout, took control offensively, delivering back-to-back kills to extend the Rams’ lead to 20-13. She had already recorded six kills in the fourth set alone.

Addington finished with 18 kills, three digs, two blocks and one service ace, recording 13 successful serves on 14 attempts.

Tinora continued to apply pressure, and Crestview was called for a four-hit violation on set point.

The Rams closed out a convincing 25-16 victory to even the match at two sets apiece and force a deciding fifth set.

Rams finish the job in the fifth set

With the district championship hanging in the balance, Tinora carried its fourth-set momentum into the deciding fifth set.

The Lady Rams came through when it mattered most, taking control of the shortened set and pulling away from the Knights. Tinora closed out the championship with a 15-10 fifth-set victory, completing the 3-2 comeback and securing the district championship.

After dropping the opening set and falling behind 2-1, the Lady Rams won the fourth and fifth sets to finish the comeback.

Tinora received contributions throughout its lineup, particularly on defense.

Kenzy Bacon recorded 12 digs and successfully handled 16 of 17 serve-receive opportunities. Brooklyn Behnfeldt added six digs and was perfect on 24 serve-receive attempts.

Ava Kissner contributed four digs, while Riley Baldwin added one dig and served 11 of 12 attempts successfully.

Lexi Baldwin finished with three digs, served successfully 14 times in 16 attempts, recorded two aces and completed three of four serve-receive opportunities.

Aubrey Hall contributed one dig and one ace, serving successfully on two of four attempts and completing three of seven serve-receive opportunities.

Teagan Billing added one dig and three blocks, providing an important presence at the net. Maddi Boseltman contributed one kill, successfully served three of six attempts and completed her lone serve-receive opportunity.

Dominique also finished with 15 digs and two blocks, complementing her match-leading offensive performance. She was perfect from the service line, successfully completing all nine attempts, and handled 12 of 13 serve-receive opportunities.

The victory was a testament to the determination of a young Tinora team that refused to let its season end.

District Championships for the Lady Rams: 1994, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2024, 2025, & 2026.

Conference Honors highlight both programs

The championship matchup featured several players recognized as among the best in their respective conferences during the 2026 season.

Tinora had five players earn Green Meadows Conference All-Conference recognition.

Schaublin (12), Behnfeldt (11) and Addington (9) were selected to the first team. Dominique (10) earned second-team honors, while Wells (10) received honorable mention recognition.

Addington’s first-team selection was particularly impressive as a freshman, highlighting the impact she has made during her first varsity season. Her 18 kills and two blocks in the district championship demonstrated the important role she continues to play for the Rams.

Schaublin and Behnfeldt also earned first-team recognition for their contributions to Tinora’s successful campaign. Schaublin’s 42 assists and 19 digs in the District Championship showcased her all-around contribution, while Behnfeldt’s 18 digs and three aces helped the Rams throughout the five-set battle.

Dominique’s second-team recognition capped a season in which she continued to establish herself as one of Tinora’s leading offensive weapons. Her 27 kills against Crestview were the top individual offensive performance for the Lady Rams.

Wells also contributed six kills and a block in the championship after receiving honorable mention recognition.

Crestview was also well represented in the Northwest Conference. Gregory and Kreischer earned first-team All-NWC honors, while Owens was selected to the second team. Head coach Tammy Gregory was named Northwest Conference Coach of the Year.

Kreischer and Owens were among the Knights’ young players who helped lead the team into the district championship contest. Owens delivered the third-set finishing kill that put Crestview ahead 2-1.

St. Henry awaits Tinora in Regional Semifinals

Tinora’s district championship victory sends the Lady Rams to the Division VI regional semifinals at Fostoria next Thursday.

Their opponent will be St. Henry, which secured its own district championship with a convincing 3-0 sweep of Ashland Crestview, winning by scores of 25-13, 25-15 and 25-5.

St. Henry defended its district title, earning the program’s fourth district championship in six years, with a couple of district runner-up finishes during that stretch.

DIVISION VI REGIONAL SEMIFINAL

Tinora Lady Rams vs. St. Henry

Thursday — Fostoria, Ohio
Address: 1001 Park Ave, Fostoria, OH 44830

The winner advances to the regional final on Saturday.

Tickets:
https://www.ohsaa.org/fanguide/tickets

Lady Rams stats vs. Crestview

Macy Behnfeldt – 18 digs, 19-21 Serving, 3 aces, 13-14 Serve Receive, 4 assists
Ella Schaublin – 5 kills, 19 Digs, 21-24 serving, 1 ace, 1 block, 42 assists
Addison Dominique – 27 kills, 15 digs, 9-9 serving, 2 blocks, 12-13 serve receive
Kalli Wells – 6 kills, 5 digs, 0-1 serving, 1 block
Brooklyn Behnfeldt – 6 digs, 24-24 serve receive
Riley Baldwin – 1 dig, 11-12 serving
Braleigh Addington – 18 kills, 3 digs, 13-14 serving, 1 ace, 2 blocks
Kenzy Bacon – 12 digs, 16-17 serve receive
Aubrey Hall – 1 dig, 2-4 serving, 1 ace, 3-7 serve receive
Teagan Billing – 1 dig, 3 blocks
Ava Kissner – 4 digs
Maddi Boseltman – 1 kill, 3-6 serving, 1-1 serve receive
Lexi Baldwin – 3 digs, 14-16 serving, 2 aces, 3-4 serve receive