Big Rogue330 weekend in Sandusky (and Sherrodsville)!!!

Famous for its roller coasters, Cedar Point hosted a tremendous OVR Regional Challenge again this weekend (Feb 7-8), and ROGUE330 brought the FIRE, the BLAZE, and the FLAME!

The 16R FLAME had another fantastic weekend together, making the GOLD bracket again and some huge wins against two of our Region’s top AMERICAN-LEVEL teams. The FLAME took 5th overall out of 24 teams and notched a win against Gold finalist Millennium 16-Yoder. Tremendous team energy… every player doing her part… Coaches putting players in position to do what they do… this was a phenomenal weekend for a spirited team that is just getting started. Shout out to setter Violet Hanlin (McKinley) and Libero Ivy Tate (Marlington) for bringing such focus, confidence, and intelligence to this team. The hits and blocks from Molly, Chazzy, Naomi, Lilli, and (of course) Colie – timed with relentless defense by Maddie, Elise, and Ivy led to a total team effort as the FLAME took another major step as a true contender in the OVR’s 16-Regional Division, and they enter this coming week ranked #14th out of 84 teams, trending way, way up!

The 17R BLAZE started the weekend without two of their regular front-row players, Journie and Myquella. After a jarring Saturday morning loss to the 3rd-ranked 17-American team (Millennium Schafer), the BLAZE rebounded to win all their games and take 1st in Silver. Led by super quick setter Ruthie Weimer, the BLAZE notched wins over AVC and CVC on Saturday and barely missed the GOLD BRACKET due to an obscure tie-breaker that nobody understands. On Sunday, the team welcomed Myquella back and won all their games. The end. For real. It was awesome to see them knock off another American-level team in two sets and then win an epic three-set battle for the ages over Erie Elite Maui 17, one of the best teams in the region. Major props to Aaliyah Hall for filling in and doing so well in the front row for the BLAZE. Captain/Libero Summer Brown, Libero Morgan Burdge, and super sophomore Kelley Proud anchored an impenetrable back row defense that wouldn’t quit. Front row blocking and power from Caroline Chesnic, Savannah Brown, and Addison Marx kept defenses confused all weekend. Newcomer Abeka Fouts was virtually unstoppable all over the court, and high-flying Myquella Lipkins delivered devastating kills in big moments that put the BLAZE over the top. But it was the clutch play, fun energy, and never-say-die effort from Ruthie Weimer that kept the BLAZE attacking play after play. Check it out on our Instagram.

The 18R FIRE sustained a big loss last week when Junior Brooke Weidman suffered an injury that will have her missing a lot of volleyball. Coach Lauren’s group encountered an always-tough 18-Regional field and didn’t back down. Senior setter Maggie Fulton led an attacking crew of hitters including Audrey Lands, Paris Harter, Hailey Husk, and blocker-hitters Khyla Blair, Zoiee Mason, and Molly Peters. Libero Julie Underwood and Defensive Specialist Kendall Bilbrey seemed to be everywhere, chasing, digging, and passing with energy and accuracy. After a challenging Saturday showing, the FIRE rebounded for two wins on Sunday in the Bronze Bracket. With serving and all-around play, Paris and Khyla came up huge in wins over Club Extreme and Adrenaline. Coach Lauren’s group finished the day on a high note and is eager to get back after it and prepare for the Bulldog regional challenge in two weeks.

IGNITE time! Finally, our 15R IGNITE played their very first tournament event of the season, taking on a jam-packed list of opponents at the Eastern Ohio Sports Complex. This brand new team, led by Coach Mandy Dale and Assistant Coaches Adyson Thomas and Gracie Dale, played with energy and hustle all day before losing a competitive match early in bracket play. Setter Abby Rowe brought experience to a lineup that includes Libero Laila Wisener, hitters Kendal Ostapowicz, Paityn Lewis, Alaina Conn, Maci Thompson, and Alithia Pertsinides. Marley Swihart adds quickness and hustle to the back row anchored by Wisener. The team is excited to regroup and prepare for a new tournament challenge tomorrow at Leetonia. The Ignite welcomes back middle/hitter Gwenn Reinford and will begin pool play as the top-ranked team in their pool at 7:30AM early! Good luck, girls!!

Two other Rogue330 teams will have to wait a little bit for their next open tournaments. The 14 SPARK debut on Saturday, February 11th, and the 18 THUNDER hit the courts again on February 21-22 for the BULLDOG OVR REGIONAL Challenge!