Magnificat ends volleyball season for Lady Comets

by CARL SULLENBERGER

Sports correspondent

It was a magnificent journey to the Regional final in Norwalk. At the District playoffs in Midview, the Lady Comets volleyball team took down the Elyria Pioneers in the Division I final in a five-game series for the right to play in Norwalk.

The Comets started slowly giving the Pioneers the first two games 19-25 and 20-25. The team buckled down and with Deme Morales at the top of her game, dominated Elyria 25-17. 25-15, 15-8.

Amherst's first game at the Regional contest was against Toledo's St Ursula Arrows. They took the first game 25-23 but stumbled in the second 14-25. The Lady Comets regained their composure and put the Arrows away 26-24 and 25-22 for the win.

On Saturday the repeat faceoff between the Magnificat Blue Streaks and the Comets arrived with much anticipation. The young Comets team did well but experience in high level competition took its toll.

"We were a step off right from the get-go. We had to have every player bring their A game today just to give us the opportunity to be competitive. However, I thought my players were more in the B plus range. We just did not bring to the floor the game I'm accustomed to seeing from these kids. I'm not going to take any credit away from Magnificat, they brought their A plus game. They came in here and played about as well as I've seen a Magnificat team play," coach Laurie Cogan said.

"I think it was the pressure of the match being a Regional final. These kids, other than Deme, have not been on this stage. It was youth versus veterans, and the veterans won out," she added.

The two most powerful Blue Streaks, Michelle Chakirelis and Brittney Balser, were devastating at the net. Getting digs on lightning kill shots deviled the Comets in all three games.

In game one Amherst fell behind 15-8 before a run brought them to 17-18. A kill by Brittney Flynn ended the Comets streak and the game concluded at 19-25.

The next game started neck and neck until 9-9. Magnificat caught fire leaving Amherst behind 18-25.

As they have all season the Lady Comets got down to business in game three in spite of the odds. At 7-3 they found a lead they could protect and kept it until Magnificat called for a timeout at 19-15. The Blue Steaks returned to the court energized and evened the score at 19-19. A withering kill by Deme Morales gave the Comets their final lead in the game 20-19. Magnificat won 22-25.

With just three seniors this year the Comets now have the experience of a Regional title match under their belts. Their skills will improve during the off-season. If they can stay healthy the 2010 season will be another for the record books.