In a thrilling showdown that will go down in school history, the Lady Giants volleyball team clinched their first-ever district title last night, defeating Oregon Clay and avenging two regular-season losses to the Eagles. From the very first serve, the Lady Giants displayed an elevated level of intensity and energy, setting the tone for the rest of the match.
The front line of Kali Kidd, Tierra Parker, Bre Biller, Rylann Fox, and Lyndi Wolf delivered powerful and precise hitting that kept the Eagles’ defense scrambling throughout the opening set. The Lady Giants dominated the first set, winning 25-12 and leaving little doubt that they came ready to fight for the title.
The second set saw a shift in momentum, with Oregon Clay making key adjustments. Both teams went back and forth in a close battle, neither able to land the decisive blow until the Eagles edged out a 25-20 win, tying the match at one set apiece.
In the third set, the Lady Giants refocused. Strong passing from Mia Durnwald and Brooke Baacke, paired with the clever playmaking of senior setter Sydney Weickert, kept the Giants’ offense in rhythm. They maintained control of the set, pulling away to take it 25-19.
The fourth set began with a bang as freshman Ryla Smith reeled off five consecutive points from the service line, giving the Lady Giants a significant early lead. As the set progressed, the Giants pushed their advantage to 22-16, forcing Oregon Clay to use a timeout in a last-ditch effort to regroup.
True to the competitive nature of their previous matchups, the Eagles mounted a fierce rally after the timeout, closing the gap and making the final moments of the match nail-bitingly close. However, the Lady Giants held their ground and sealed the set 25-23, securing both the match and their place in history as district champions.
With the victory, the Lady Giants advance to the regional semifinals, where they will face either Dublin Scioto or Mount Vernon on Wednesday, October 30, at Westerville South.
The team, fueled by their first-ever title, will look to carry their momentum into the next round as they continue their quest for postseason glory.