NMS teams finish first, second at Lake tourney

SANDUSKY — The Norwalk Middle School eighth-grade volleyball team won the Sandusky Bay Conference Lake Division tournament on Oct. 11. The Truckers opened the tournament with a win over Clyde in two sets (25-16, 25-21). Facing Perkins in the finals, the NMS team outlasted the Pirates in three sets to win the tournament, 21-25, 25-22, 25-23. Norwalk and Perkins had split during the regular season. The Truckers finished with a record of 13-5. "The girls played with heart and were able to move on from mistakes quickly, which is something we have been working towards, having next ball mentality," NMS head coach Kaci Oates said. "I'm incredibly proud of this group of girls and will miss coaching them. I wish them all the best the next four years." Seventh-grade finishes second SANDUSKY — The seventh-grade team went 2-1 at the tournament Saturday to finish in second place. The Truckers (16-3, 8-2) entered the Lake tourney in a three-way tie for the top seed with Perkins and Clyde. Norwalk advanced to the championship match with victories over Sandusky and Perkins before falling to Clyde in the championship. Against the Blue Streaks, Norwalk posted scores of 25-12 and 25-17. In the first set, Melanie Havens, Lexi Schmidt, Kara Russ and Harper Gilbert controlled the front of the net. Setters Addie Hance and Kayla Naseman kept the offense in rhythm, and the defensive effort was anchored by Ella Ames and Adelinn Sitterly. Sitterly also shined from the service line. In the second set, with Norwalk trailing 17–10, she helped deliver 15 consecutive points to close out the match. Contributions also came from Grace Emmons, Paisley Snyder, and Kendall Khaledi at the net, along with back-row defense from Lyza Ringenberg and Ava Iehle Ball. Against Perkins, Norwalk posted scores of 25-12, 17-25, and 25-14. Norwalk's offense was led by Gilbert, Sitterly, Schmidt, and Ames. Naseman and Hance continued their strong setting to get everyone involved. Ames, Naseman, Russ and Sitterly sparked the defense in the win. Against Clyde, the Truckers fell in two sets, 25-14 and 25-16. "With strong contributions from a deep roster and a team-first mentality, as a coach, I couldn't be more proud of their efforts today and all season," head coach Callie Baker said. "They are hard workers, smart students, and a positive impact on and off the court."