Huron focused on regional semifinal opponent

The Lake Regional volleyball bracket is set up for a blockbuster No. 1 vs. No. 2 clash in Saturday's finals. That possibility is hard to ignore, but Huron coach Don Wood is managing. "I'm not even thinking about 1 versus 2 because Tinora is an awfully good team," Wood said, talking about Huron's regional semifinal opponent on Thursday night. "What happens on the other side of the bracket doesn't affect our side. You get caught up playing that game and you'll go home disappointed." Huron is ranked No. 2 in the state in Division III. The Tigers are 21-2 and have played a schedule heavy on ranked opponents across the state's top three divisions. Ottawa-Glandorf, which lurks on the other side of the bracket, is 25-0 and ranked No. 1 in the state. If the Tigers and Titans survive Thursday's regional semifinals, they will meet with a trip to the state semifinals at stake. But first, Huron must deal with Defiance Tinora in the second regional semifinal at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Ottawa-Glandorf will play Northridge, which will make the long drive from northeast of Columbus, in the regional opener at 5. "It's in the back of my mind," O-G coach Amber Gerdeman said about a possible matchup against Huron. "If we face off it'll be a good match, but we both have to get through two really tough teams." The two teams that will challenge Huron and O-G both are 20-5 and neither is ranked. But Tinora has Huron's attention. Two years ago when the Tigers made their most recent trip to the regional, scrappy Tinora won it, defeating Liberty-Benton 3-1 in the finals. (Liberty-Benton knocked out Huron in the semifinals in 2018 and won the 2019 state title after defeating Ottawa-Glandorf in a regional final). Tinora, a No. 3 seed in its district, has swept four tournament matches this year. Wood called Tinora coach Bretta Hagerty one of the best coaches in the state and knows who the Rams will set at the net. Senior outside hitter Lexi Wachtman has 294 kills while senior middle hitter Tori Morlock has 269. Junior outside hitter Quinn Horn has 196. "They are very controlled, very strong hitters," Wood said. "If they get the ball to those three, they can create a lot of problems." The same can be said about the Tigers, who feature five tournament-tested seniors who each have more than 100 kills. Makenna Schafer, a 6-foot senior outside hitter who will play collegiately at Ohio University, leads the way with 246 kills. Middle hitters Claire Solberg (167 kills, 67 blocks) and Sophie Lee (154 kills, 64 blocks) can also cause problems up front. Senior outside hitter Alizia Lagando has 148 kills while senior setter Georgi Moody, the Sandusky Bay Conference Bay Division Player of the Year, has contributed 132 kills to go with 737 assists. Junior outside hitter Izzy Cozzie has 91 kills and an impressive vertical leap. If the Tigers defeat Tinora, odds are they'll match up with Ottawa-Glandorf in the tourney's Elite Eight. The Titans, who swept Liberty-Benton last week in a district final to avenge last year's tourney loss, are led by Western Buckeye League Player of the Year Maddie White. Wood says his team is confident and happy to just be playing as the coronavirus maintains its grip on American society. "I know it's 'not just another game,' but this year, especially, we get to play another day," he said. "Two victories can be had in one day. One is just to be playing and two, being able to win. "I'm real happy with their mindset and I'm proud of them. They come ready to practice and follow the protocols to the best of their ability." ----- Lake Regional At Millbury Lake HS Thursday semifinals 5 p.m. — Ottawa-Glandorf (25-0) vs. Johnstown Northridge (20-5) 7:30 p.m. — Huron (21-2) vs. Defiance Tinora (20-5) Saturday finals 2 p.m. — Thursday winners