DEFIANCE: The Tinora Lady Rams volleyball team headed back to Defiance High School to try to avenge an early-season loss to the state-ranked Parkway Panthers. Way back on August 19, Parkway came to Tinora and defeated the Lady Rams, 3-1; tonight, the District Championship was at stake.

The Lady Rams brought their 22-2 mark, while the Panthers were one step behind with a 21-3 record, on Thursday night as a fantastic crowd at DHS looked on.

The initial set was nip-and-tuck. The Lady Rams led Parkway after being tied 5-5 early in the set. Tinora increased their lead to as many as six at 16-10 before taking the first set, 25-10, as the Lady Rams looked to defend their District Title from 2024. Senior Tatum Creps had 6 kills in the set.

The second set was a classic. Tinora again jumped out to an early lead, 7-1. Addison Dominique of the Lady Rams, with an excellent opening two sets, pushed the Lady Rams’ lead out to 9-4 before Parkway rallied to tie the set at 11-11. Tinora went on a four-point run to lead 18-14, and a Parkway timeout ensued.

The Lady Rams increased their lead to 20-15, the Panthers rallied to get to within 21-18, then 21-20 before finally tying the set at 23-23. Tinora’s first team GMC player, Tatum Creps, stepped up big in the final points, going on a personal four-point run, all kills, as the Lady Rams held on for a thrilling 25-25 in, taking a 2-0 set advantage.

The third set saw Parkway finally take their first lead of the match at 6-5. Parkway would hold that lead most of the third set, but not without a Tinora rally. The Lady Rams would rally past the Panthers, 21-19, late in the third set. However, Parkway would not let their season end just yet, rallying for a thrilling 25-23 set win, the Panthers still trailed the Lady Rams 2-1.

Set number four, after three thrilling sets, Tinora and Parkway both dug down deep for that extra burst of energy. As in the first three sets, Tinora started the crucial fourth set with an early lead. But the Panthers led most of the set before a late Tinora rally tied the set at 15-15 and then again at 21-21. Tinora’s senior leaders, Paige Gamby and Tatum Creps, were prominent down the stretch for the Lady Rams, but Parkway would go on for another thrilling set win, this one 26-24.

Set five, the first to 15, and a trip to the Regionals was on the line for both of these 20-win programs. Tinora would jump out to an early 3-1 advantage, only to see the Panthers rally and take the momentum at 6-4 after outscoring the Lady Rams 5-3.

Parkway took an 8-7 advantage before another Lady Rams comeback. Tinora would tie the final set at 9-9 before Bluffton commit Tatum Creps would put the match away with two massive kills down the stretch. The Lady Rams would go on to capture their second straight District title, winning 15-11 over Parkway.

Parkway is seeing its season end at 21-4. Congratulations and best wishes to Panthers seniors Brittyn Bruns, Emery Temple, Colbie Smith, and Bryn Schoenleben.

The Lady Rams improve to 23-2 and will travel to Fostoria next Thursday and take on Buckeye Central at 8 pm. The first game will feature Fairview Apaches taking on New Breman at 6 pm.

The Higbea Embroidery Player of the Game went to the GMC player of the Year, Paige Gamby. Congratulations again, Paige.