UNIONTOWN — Independence made quick work of McDonald on Thursday night, sweeping the Blue Devils, 25-15, 25-16, 25-19, to advance to the Division IV, Region 21 championship game against Dalton on Saturday.
The defending regional champs came out firing, dominating the first two sets and holding off a late push from McDonald to finish the sweep in straight sets.
“We’ve been going into every game with an open mind and just working hard,” said Independence senior Haley Wilson. “We’re really focusing on working together and getting some of the weird balls over. I thought we played well — even though we let (McDonald) in a little bit in that third set — but we’re still staying positive, coming in with an open mind, and knowing we want to make it back to states.”
Wilson set the tone early, racking up six kills, six assists, and two aces in the opening frame as Independence raced out to a 14-6 lead and never looked back in a 25-15 win.
That energy carried into the second set, where Wilson dished out eight more assists and added four kills. Senior Anna Jirmasek came alive at the net, hammering six kills and adding a block and an ace as the Blue Devils rolled to a 25-16 victory.
The third set got dicey when McDonald trimmed a six-point deficit to 20-19, but Independence refused to flinch. A clutch service ace from Julia Jurkiewicz and two straight Wilson kills sealed the 25-19 win — and the sweep.
A year removed from a trip to the Division IV Final Four, the Blue Devils are now just one win away from another state berth.
“They’ve worked hard like I’ve asked them to,” said head coach Anthony Messina. “They’re focused, and they’ve gotten it done. The task of returning to the states is very tough. We’ve seen Dalton play, and it’s going to be a challenge.”
After graduating a large senior class last season, this year’s squad has steadily found its rhythm — and confidence — when it mattered most.
“I’m so proud of everyone for working hard every day and coming together,” Wilson said. “We’ve had to learn how to play together, which has been a big adjustment, but I think we’re doing great. Our tough schedule definitely helped us push through the hard times.”
Wilson finished with a stellar double-double — 16 kills, 18 assists, and three aces. Jirmasek added 11 kills, two blocks, and four aces, while Mia Mudra contributed 10 kills. Jurkiewicz chipped in 20 assists.
Independence will face Dalton in the Division IV, Region 21 championship match at Uniontown Lake on Saturday at 2:00 p.m.
Berkshire’s Postseason Run Ends in Regional Semifinal
Berkshire’s remarkable postseason journey came to an end Thursday with a 3-0 loss to Elyria Catholic in a Division V regional semifinal at Medina High School.
The Panthers prevailed 25-18, 25-14, 26-24 to advance, while the Badgers closed out a stellar season with a 23-3 record.
Marissa Rish led Berkshire with 16 assists, seven digs, six kills, and three service points. Kate Miller tallied 16 digs, six kills, and six points, while Jill Smetana added seven kills, six digs, two blocks, and three points. Maddie Bower finished with five digs and two assists, and Delara Kellogg chipped in two aces, two digs, and four points.
