Bloom-Carroll volleyball title hopes fall short in state semifinal

Vandalia, Ohio – Despite a strong tournament run to the Division III state semifinal, the Bloom-Carroll volleyball team fell short against the formidable Padua Franciscan Bears. The Bulldogs began on a high note, claiming victory in the first set, only to equalize the score in the second. However, it was in the decisive third set that the Bears emerged victorious, winning 28-26.

The game continued in the fourth set, where Bloom-Carroll could not secure the win, leading to a final score of 25-22, 22-25, 28-26, 25-14, with the Bears claiming a 3-0 victory on Friday night, November 13, at Vandalia-Butler High School. Coaches and players alike expressed disappointment, with Bloom-Carroll's coach, Kyle McFerin, attributing their loss to uncharacteristic mistakes made during the game, specifically in the fourth set, such as net calls and out-of-bounds hits.

Alya Mitchell led the Bulldogs with 15 kills, while Renee Smith contributed 30 assists, and Kylynne Solberger had 19 digs. The team's record for the season stands at 22-5, with the seniors aiding in elevating the program's standards. The team, which reached the finals for the second consecutive year, acknowledges the challenges they faced throughout the season and expresses gratitude towards their senior players who have helped lead the team forward.