Cornell advances, Lake Holcombe’s season ends

Exactly one week after the last match-up of the regular season, the Cornell Chiefs and the Lake Holcombe Chieftains met in a volleyball second round Regional, Oct. 22, on Cornell’s court, after both teams received a bye in the first round. As the East Lakeland Conference champs, the Chiefs were ranked second, while the Chieftains, who came in second in the conference, were a No. 3 seed in their Division 4 bracket.

Lake Holcombe looked to redeem themselves from the loss to Cornell the week before, and came out hot, scoring a quick 5-0 lead. The Chiefs couldn’t rally their offense and dropped the first set, 25-7.

Cornell collected their thoughts and came storming back in the second set, for a close 25-20 victory. Lake Holcombe seemed to lose momentum in the third set and the Chiefs walked away with it, 25-14.

It was a back-and-forth contest in the fourth set, with a last second win from Cornell, 25-22, which sealed the 3-1 win and advanced them to the final round of Regionals.

“The girls came out very strong tonight, and kept with Cornell in the other sets,” said Lake Holcombe coach Beth Meddaugh, “but it just wasn’t in the cards for a win tonight.”

Leading the way for Cornell, junior Jayda Turchen had 15 digs, 9 kills and 3 aces, while sophomore Michayla Turchen ended with 12 kills and 11 digs. Senior Michaiah Galster finished the night with 25 assists, and freshman Brooke Anderson recorded 12 digs and 2 aces.

On Lake Holcombe’s side, sophomore Karly Kirkman came away with 6 kills and senior Allison Golat-Hattamer put away 9 assists. Leading on digs, was junior Annabelle Wincek, with 34.

Cornell moves on to face McDonell away, while for Lake Holcombe, their season and the high school careers of seniors Leah Allard, Karlee Andres, Hattamer, Jonae Toutant and Jaiden Wegen, are at an end.

“I’m really proud of the team for pulling together this week, and throughout the entire season,” said Meddaugh. “There were a lot of ups and downs this season, but the girls rallied around one another and faced each new challenge head on.”

Cutline: Senior Allison Golat-Hattamer sends the ball over the net for Lake Holcombe during the second round of Regionals in Cornell, Oct. 22. Lake Holcombe took the fifirst set, but Cornell rallied for the next three, with a 3-1 win to end Lake Holcombe’s season. Photo by Ginna Young