Storm, Spikers meet
again in postseason

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Bureau Valley’s Melanie Thompson takes a shot over the block of PHS’ Jacquie Kane Thursday. (BCR photo/Mike Vaughn)

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It was NCIC 1, Three Rivers Conference 1 Thursday night at the Storm Cellar.

The top-seeded Mendota Spikers notched a win for the win over Three Rivers champ Riverdale, but it didn’t come easy. The Spikers won the first set 25-21, but the Rams battled back with a 25-14 to force Game 3. Mendota held off a late surge by the Rams for a 25-22 victory to move into the finals.

Kalli Scheppers led the Spikers with 11 kills.

Host Bureau Valley evened the score for the Three Rivers by knocking off the NCIC Lincoln’s Princeton Tigresses, the defending regional champs.

• Regional redux: Mendota beat Bureau Valley in last year’s regionals at Mendota 25-23, 25-23. The Storm are out to return the favor.

“We’re up for them,” said Litherland, who noted, like Princeton coach Andy Puck, she will be up against another coaching friend in Mendota’s Jeanne McKenzie. “The girls are kind of excited. The seniors are like, ‘Coach, we’re playing them here at our gym. Let’s get it done.’”

The Storm makes its 11th straight regional finals appearance, seeks its first regional title since 2006 and eighth in school history. Mendota has won 19 regionals and six districts.

BV and Mendota have met five times in the postseason with the Spikers winning all but one time. Mendota won regional finals meetings in ‘08 and ‘03 and sectional meetings in ‘99 and ‘02. The Storm took a sectional match in 2000.

Puck’s team bows out for the first time in nine years (eight at PHS, one at Hall) without getting there. The PHS coach gave a long-lasting hug to a tearful Slyvie Tracy, his senior libero who played her last game for PHS.

• Stat sheet: Junior Aubrey Franklin and senior Gabby Fisch led the Storm with seven kills Thursday. Litherland calls the athletic Franklin her wild card.

“Aub’s a junior and she’s back,” Litherland said. “She’s a wild card. Every coach’s dream. You can’t predict her. When she’s on, you can’t stop her.”

Fisch also led the Storm with eight points with Lauren Hasbrook adding five points and five  kills and Sam Shepard 22 assists.

Molly Stephens led the Tigresses with 11 points and 20 points. Also for PHS, Sylvie Tracy had nine points and 18 digs, Lacy Jensen nine points and two kills, Steph Bonucci eight points and Jolyn  Kane seven points, four aces and five kills.

• BV idol: Bureau Valley has its American Idol talent in senior Chelsey Lind, who sang the National Anthem before Thursday’s second match.

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Spikers and Storm 
postseason history

2008 Regional finals: Mendota def. BV 25-23, 25-23

2003 Regional finals: Mendota def BV 25-13, 25-19

2002 Sectional semifinals: Mendota def. BV 15-12, 7-15, 15-10

2000 Sectional semifinals: BV def. Mendota 15-12, 15-8

1999 Sectional finals: Mendota def. BV 15-5, 15-8
 

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