Solon starts strong and advances to regional final

SOLON - If Solon Coach Kurt Trout could bottle and sell an elixir for inspired starts he'd make a fortune.

Until then, he'll be glad when his Spartans do it. Especially in the postseason.

The eighth-ranked Spartans defeated No. 13 Marion, 25-18, 25-18, 27-29, 25-23, in a Class 3A regional semifinal volleyball match Thursday night at Solon High School. The Spartans advance to face top-ranked Mount Vernon in the regional final Tuesday at Tiffin.

“They came out with fire and intensity,” said Trout, noting the team was motivated to extend the seniors last volleyball season. “There are times we've come out flat. If I had the magic potion to make sure we came out fired up every time., I'd probably be coaching at a different level right now.”

Solon's Kelsey Hinrichs attributed early intensity to a new routine.

“We were fired up,” Hinrichs said. “We came out and had pumped up energy. We were really ready to play.”

The Spartans took control early, grasping momentum for a pair of scoring streaks to put the Indians on their heels in winning the first two games. The first came in a eight-point stretch, putting the Indians in a 14-3 hole in the first. Hinrichs, Brie Winegar and Tori takes each had winners.

They added a seven-point streak in the second, breaking a 6-6 tie and grabbing a 13-6 lead the Spartans didn't surrender. Hinrichs had three of her team-high five aces during the run.

“We talk a lot about controlling the pace of the game,” Trout said. “They do a very nice job. We have some very volleyball intelligent players who can see when other teams are making mistakes and are able to jump on their mistakes.”

The Spartans were able to exploit the Indians' service return.

“I thought they did a good job of picking that apart, and forcing the ball short on us,” Marion Coach Roxanne Paulsen said. “Really having a challenge to get the ball up.”

Solon came up with big shots when it needed. Hinrichs had 16 kills and a team-high 16 digs. Winegar led Solon  with 17 kills and Takes had 48 assists. Hinrichs praised the setter's performance.

"Our offense clicked with our setter," Hinrichs said.

Trout highlighted the performance of librero Danielle Herdliska.

“She kept us in a lot of plays tonight,” Trout said. “The team feeds off her defense.”

Marion showed fight, battling from big deficits. The Indians staved off elimination in the third game, facing match point at 24-20, They tied the game at 24, and found themselves down 27-26 before scoring three straight points to force a fourth game. Hannah Miller and Jessie Kramer combined on a block to put Marion up a point and then had a block to keep the final point alive before a Solon error ended it.

The teams suffered through errors in the final game, but Solon was able to close it out winning seven of the last 11 points.

Miller led the Indians with eight kills, Jessica Jakoubek had six and Morgan Kolarik and Kramer added five apiece.

“I'm proud of the way they played in the last two games,” Paulsen said. “In the first two games, they dug too big of a hole.

“They played hard. We saw a lot of heart tonight and they didn't give up.”

Marion squad was young and inexperienced, including an entire new back court this season. Only three played in the regional finals a year ago. Thursday night's game can pay dividends in the future.

“A lot of young girls will be coming back for us next year,” Paulsen said. “I'm proud of that. They got a nice experience playing against a good Solon team.”

Now that good Solon team welcomes the challenge of a talented Mustangs team.

“We know what they have,” Trout said. “There's a reason why they're in the top 15 of the nation, but that doesn't mean we're going to roll over and die.”

Hinrichs said the Spartans have to play their best to advance to state.

“We have to come out on the top of our game,” Hinrichs said, “and be ready.”