A STATEMENT Dalton volleyball team caps strong season in Final Four
PHOTOS BY HEATHER IMMLER | DGKN
Dalton’s volleyball team receives a nice sendoff Nov. 14 at the high school before heading to Vandalia for the state semifinal.
By ARIEL STAHLER
DGKN sports writer
In a season filled with ups and downs, Dalton High School’s varsity volleyball team was consistent in that they never stopped fighting. This determination was present when they took on Calvert in the Div. IV state semifinal Nov. 14 at Butler High School. However, the Lady Dawgs could not overcome their undefeated opponent and fell to Calvert 25-22, 25-22, 25-20. Dalton finished with an overall record of 18-9.
Dalton’s head coach Allison Hostetler noted this game felt different than the regional final, but she is not dwelling on the outcome. Instead, she is looking at the positives from the experience.
“What an accomplishment to make it to the state semifinal game,” she said. “We saw some tremendous performances, but not everything seemed to be clicking like it did when we played in the regional final game. I think if we would have been able to play like we did against Monroeville, our state semifinal game would have been a different outcome. No matter the outcome, though, nothing can take away from what this team did this postseason. We were one of four teams in Division IV of the State of Ohio to still be playing and that is an amazing feat to be able to say.”
Abbi Snyder led Dalton with eight points. Brennah Arnold finished with 18 kills, five points, two aces, two solo blocks and two assist blocks.
“Competing at state this past weekend has been a dream that I never imagined would become our team’s reality,” Arnold said. “Seeing the community and others in the WCAL supporting us has felt so special. It truly is amazing to have that strong support system behind us and rooting for us all the way because not every team experiences that. I’m so grateful to have experienced going to state with my best friends and with the best coaches I could have ever asked for. Ending my senior season of volleyball this way has been the biggest blessing in the world.”
Landree Siders had 14 digs. Mia Weaver had a strong presence with six assist blocks, one solo block, 14 digs, 12 kills, five points and one ace. Tess Denning ended with five kills. Adrianne Alger had 33 assists.
“It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Alger said. “It was an experience that won’t compare to any other. The atmosphere when walking into that gym was unreal and something I will never forget. The best part of it all was that I got to do it with my friends who have become my family.”
