Comets champs: Central Christian volleyball wins title outright

PHOTO PROVIDED
Lydia Dunham led the Comets with kills in conference play.

Central Christian’s varsity volleyball team won their league championship last week and went on to up their overall record to 16-3.

Both varsity and JV teams swept St. Peter’s in straight sets Oct. 5 in Mansfield. The win earned the varsity team the Mid-Buckeye Conference title outright.

The Lady Comets didn’t have much time to celebrate their 10th undefeated conference game.

They hit the road to Akron and then went on to play Massillon’s Washington High School at home. They lost Oct. 6 to St. Vincent-St. Mary and had a close win over Division I Washington High School 25-20, 30-28, 25-23. The JV Comets also won against Washington High School in a two-set match.

The varsity team capped off the busy week with a 25-14, 25-10, 25-14 win over Lake Center Christian in Hartville.

“There is no rest or lull after winning the MBC title,” said Nathan Holton, high school volleyball coach and operations director.

This week, the team was slated to play Northwestern on Monday and Tuslaw is on the schedule for Thursday.

“All non-league games against solid competition to get us ready for the OHSAA District Tournament,” Holton noted.

Last year, Lucas beat Central Christian for a share of the MBC title. Earlier this season, Holton noted how the win against Lucas was important.

“It is always nice to beat conference opponents the first time through the conference schedule,” Holton wrote. “Winning at Lucas on Tuesday (Sept. 8) was especially sweet as Lucas was the last conference opponent to beat us, last season on our court. They have been a traditionally strong program and we were glad to get out in front early and maintain a consistent approach throughout the match.”

Holton credited the Comets’ leaders with helping the team rise to the top.

“Our team leaders have managed to lead the team, remain calm, and believe that in any situation that our team can rise above adversity and succeed,” Holton wrote in an email.

Holton said Lydia Dunham, Ruthie Nuzum, Hailey Eberly and Emma Mast lit up the court with key blocks against league rival Lucas during the conference season.

“Dunham led the team with kills in conference play and was joined by outside hitters Rachel Eshenaur and Julie Immel,” he wrote. “Mast (setter) facilitated the offense with over 300 assists in conference play. Immel led a stellar serving lineup as she surges up the career list in aces in a career, joined closely by setter Emma Mast and defensive specialist Morgan Chandler. Alli Mullet led the team in digs, amazing saves, and was a spark plug throughout the conference season.”