By Cort Reynolds
NEW BREMEN - The short-handed Ada volleyball team had its season come to an end with a sweep at the hands of state power New Bremen in Div. IV district semifinal action Tuesday night.
The Lady Bulldogs lost 25-10, 25-13, 25-12 to finish their season with a 10-12 record.
Ada battled defending state champion NB without all-around senior standout Miranda Wills, who was injured last weekend.
Another Bulldog starter and a junior varsity player were not on the active Ada roster before the match due to safety precautions from contract tracing and potential Covid-19 exposure.
Another Bulldog player was also sidelined for the match by injury.
Cardinal senior Josie Reinhart led NB with 18 kills and four aces. Junior Kaylee Freund added 10 kills and three blocks. Senior setter Claire Pape dished out 34 assists and came up with seven digs. Junior Ellie Tangeman dealt five aces.
Top-seeded district host NB improved to 22-3 with the win. The Cardinals advance to the district finals Thursday, October 29, against second-seeded league foe New Knoxville (21-0) at 6 p.m.
The Ranger girls (9-0 MAC) defeated the Cardinals (7-2 MAC) October 13 by a 25-22, 26-24, 25-22 score in a Midwest Athletic Conference regular season showdown to clinch the league title.
NK swept third-seeded MAC rival Minster 3-0 in their district semifinal Tuesday.
The Rangers were ranked first in the latest Ohio High School Volleyball Coaches Association state Div. IV poll, while NB was rated third. Five of the top 10 teams ranked in Div. IV are members of the powerhouse MAC.
