JOHN CURTIS - Daily Union Sports Editor
The Windsor Trojan 8th grade volleyball team, with a record of 5-15, knocked of #1 seed Brownstown in straight sets on Thursday night to take the Sacred Heart 8-1A Regional Championship, 25-12, 25-21.
Windsor 8th struggled all year, while the Windsor 7th grade was 16-5. The 7th grade was knocked out of their regional and their magical season was 1-and-done, kind of. Windsor 7th was called up to help Windsor 8th try to extend their season at regional. They sure did.
Windsor 8th was the #3-seed in the Sacred Heart Regional, but with the teamwork of the 7th and 8th together, the Trojans were able to upset #2 seed Sacred Heart in 3-game set, 26-24, 5-25, 25-16. The amazing run continued on Thursday night in the title match when they completely baffled Brownstown in game one, 25-12, then stayed strong to defeat the regional favorite in game 2, 25-21.
"We took them by surprise," said Windsor coach JoAnn Brandenburg. "They were the #1 seed and they beat us in the regular season, not by too much. The girls played their best game ever, even the 7th graders. We had 16 aces and only four bad serves. We were able to pass and did not make very many mistakes. We picked uptheir spikes and we didn't let the ball drop. We won with our defense. In the second game, we started out slow and I took an early time-out (1-4). Brownstown was pretty cocky. But, we got going."
Once again, the 7th and 8th grade tag-teamed the opposition. Jessica Dodd (8th) and Bayleigh Tabor (7th) co-led the Trojans with five aces each. Katie Hostetter (8th) and Paige Woolard (7th) led the trojans at the net. Hostetter had four kills and Woolard three. On defense, 7th and 8th continued the trend. Olivia Hortenstine (7th) had 5 digs, Olivia Williamson (8th) had four digs and Woolard (7th) led with seven digs, Three setters also tag-teamed. Williamson (8th) dished out three assists, Claire Pfeiffer (7th) two assists and Taylor Higgins (7th) one assist..
Windsor 8th with a record of 5-15 will advance to the Sacred Heart 8-1A Sectional match on Monday for a shot at advancing to State. However, waiting for them will be the defending 7-1A State Champion from last year, Grayville.
Grayville defeated West Salem on Thursday in the Grayville Regional, 27-25, 25-6. Last year at the Sacred Heart Sectional, Grayville dismissed a top-notch Stew-Stras team (22-2) that was expected to go to State. Grayville (23-0) went on to win the 2009 IESA 7-1A State title.
Coach Brandenburg is staying positive about taking on last year's state champs with a combined 7th and 8th grade Trojan team.
"Grayville is 21-0," Coach Brandenburg said. "But, hey, our 7th and 8th grade this year also has 21 wins (combined)."
Sacred Heart 8-1A Regional Final
Windsor def. Brownstown, 25-12, 25-21
Windsor stats: Jessica Dodd 5 aces; Bayleigh Tabor 5 aces, 1 kill; Olivia Hortenstine 3 aces, 1 kill, 5 digs; Olivia Williamson 1 ac, 3 assists, 4 digs; Katie Hostetter 4 kills; Paige Woolard 3 kills, 7 digs; Claire Pfeiffer 1 ace, 2 assists; Taylor Higgins 1 ace, 1 assist.
*Watch for web updates and the Daily Union print edition for the complete story, stats, and photos.
