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Defending champ Fenwick puts work ethic to the test

Only two seniors return from team that had a spectacular 2-year run.

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12:19 AM Thursday, August 25, 2011

By Rick Cassano

Staff Writer

MIDDLETOWN — The view from the top of the mountain flooded Yoon Ha with emotion.

The Fenwick High School volleyball coach can remember it clearly now, even if it wasn’t so clear at the time. The date was Nov. 13, 2010, and his Falcons had just claimed their first Division III state championship at Wright State University’s Nutter Center.

“I was a blubbering idiot in the post-championship conference,” Ha recalled. “There was a lot of emotion with that group. They’re tough, they’re very close, and they carried it through. I owe that group a lot.”

The 3-1 win over Gates Mills Gilmour Academy capped a 28-1 season for Fenwick, easing the sting of a state semifinal loss to Huron a year earlier.

Asked for her favorite memory from the title-clinching victory, Falcons middle hitter Kristin Thompson replied: “The girls’ reactions. We were so close the year before. Just walking onto that court again and winning, it’s unexplainable. It was an experience.”

Ha, beginning his fifth year at the helm, said Fenwick is starting over in some ways after losing nine seniors. He isn’t focused on the idea of winning another state crown.

“Everyone thinks our legacy is about winning,” Ha said. “You know what? What we’ve been preaching from Day 1 is, we’re going to outwork everybody. That’s our legacy.

“If we can just stay disciplined and have the work ethic I expect, the wins are going to come,” he added.

“We’re going to have our ebbs and flows, but as long as the work ethic is there, hopefully every two or three years you can have a state championship come up.”

Thompson and fellow senior Casey Volz, a right-side hitter, are returning starters for FHS.

Ha said this group is seeking its own identity. He likes the defense and believes his squad has more quickness this season.

Among the Falcons expected to play key roles are junior outside hitter Sydney Beck, junior setter Jordan Endres and senior outside hitter/defensive specialist Jackie Purcell.

“These girls have the same spirit and desire to win as the girls last year,” Thompson said. “We step up to challenges.”

Ha said the 6-foot-2 Thompson has elevated her game and should be a consistent net force in 2011.

“I am so excited,” Thompson said. “I am finally a senior. It’s my turn to shine along with the girls I’ve been playing with for four years.”

Fenwick opens the season Tuesday at Sycamore.

High school volleyball Season preview

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