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Defending champs up next for Orion spikers
Posted Online: Nov. 03, 2009, 11:00 pm
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By Jeremy Anders
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LANARK — The Orion volleyball team was never able to get a big lead against the Orangeville volleyball team in the Class 1A Lanark Sectional semifinal on Tuesday, but the Chargers did enough to win in straight games. Orion beat Orangeville 25-20, 25-22 to advance to the sectional championship match against defending state champion Eastland at 7 p.m. on Thursday. Orion (31-6) never led by more than five points, but was able to hold off the Broncos in both games. "I think it's just a matter of maybe we made a few less mistakes than they did," Orion coach Jack Wheeler said. "I don't think either coach would say it was a particularly pretty match. I know we feel like we can play better than what we played." Orangeville suffered from several communication errors as the Broncos had been dealing with flu sidelining players and Coach Deb Willhite from different practices. "I don't know if we came out on our heels a little, practicing with half a squad doesn't help either," Willhite said. The Chargers were able to use a balanced attack led by outside hitter Maddie DePorter and middle hitter Megan Blumenshein. Orion used several players to keep Orangeville's defense off balance at times. "We talked more and communicated well with each other," DePorter said. "We just clicked." Orion's block improved in the second game. The Chargers were able to do a better job of harassing Orangeville's hitters into poor hits and limiting the Bronco attack. "That's kind of been a pattern this year," Wheeler said. "As the girls get the timing of the hitters they're facing, they time up the block better. They start to read which way the girl is going to go with the ball. That allows them to be able to get a little better block going." But while the block was better, the Broncos were still able to stay with the Chargers. Orion trailed 13-11, but scored five straight points to take a 16-13 lead. Orangeville scored three straight points to tie it again, and Orion wasn't able to shake the Broncos until they scored three of the final four points of the match after leading 22-21. The Chargers now have a tough task: the reigning Class 1A champion. Eastland, which is also hosting the sectional, returned all but two starters from last season's state championship team. It's shown this season as Eastland is 36-2 after easily beating Lena-Winslow (30-8) on Tuesday. "I know Lanark is the defending state champion, so that's a big hill to climb," Wheeler said. "We're just grateful for the opportunity, I'd rather have the chance than be done." 
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