By: Ross Van De Griek
Wiregrass Ranch is starting to click things around at just the right time, as they just wrapped up playing three matches in three days against tough competition. Wiregrass Ranch's run to the district title certainly wasn't easy, as they defeated 2-seed East Lake in 4 sets on Wednesday night & last night defeated the 1-seed Sunlake in straight sets.
Wiregrass Ranch (16-5) will host their first regional game in school history on Wednesday night, against an opponent to be determined this weekend. "It's exciting, for our players, our students & our staff", head coach Robin Holowiak said following last night's 3-set win over Sunlake.
Wiregrass Ranch won in 3 sets (25-18, 25-13, 25-22) to win their first district title in school history. "Our season isn't over yet & that is always a good thing, when you have such a tight group", said senior Hanna Sifford. "We have to take this regional match, the same way we entered the district tournament, playing each game like it's our last", Sifford added.
Wiregrass Ranch started the second set on a 6-0 run, that featured kills by junior Zoi Evans & sophomore setter Kayla Baer. The run would later be extended to 15-1 & Wiregrass Ranch just didn't look back, as they took the second set, 25-13.
The third set would be a little more back & forth, as Sunlake started the set on a 4-1 run, from a couple points by senior Alex Campbell. Wiregrass Ranch provided a quick 5-2 run to tie things at 6-6. Wiregrass Ranch's largest lead of the set was five points & that occurred twice (13-8 & 14-9). Sunlake would go on a 5-0 run, that tied things up at 14-14. Both teams would trade the next six points, as it would be tied again at 17-17. Wiregrass Ranch would score eight of the next 13 points to take the set, 25-22 & the match, 3-0
Official Stats for Wiregrass Ranch: N/A
Official Stats for Sunlake: Cydnee Reimann (8 kills, 6 blocks), Brette Heymann (7 kills, 2 serving aces, 6 digs), Caitlin Astell (18 digs)
The road ahead for Wiregrass Ranch: 10/23 vs TBD
The road ahead for Sunlake: 10/23 @ TBD