ONTARIO — The tears on the sideline of the Centerburg girls’ volleyball team were not those of the ending to a great season.
The Trojans were swept 25-12, 25-10 and 25-16 by Marion Pleasant at the Division V regional semifinals at Ontario High School on Wednesday evening.
Pleasant (26-0) wasted no time in proving it is a powerhouse with a stifling defense and rocket-like serves crossing the net.
In the first game, the Spartans built an 18-8 lead and cruised to a convincing win. In the second set Pleasant again quickly built a double-digit lead and rolled.
If Centerburg was looking for a t-shirt or bumper sticker, it might well be “Never Give Up.” The Trojans were able to climb to within three in the final game, but could not get any closer.
“I just tell them to keep playing for every point,” Boudinot said. “It is going to be a battle and to expect a battle.”
Centerburg finished the season 23-3, bowing out of the tournament to one of Ohio’s best squads.
“It can be a little more intimidating when they are hitting the ball every time and not backing down,” Boudinot said. “If they were not backing down, then we could not back down.
“They are very technique oriented, they are very strict on their blocking and that obviously shows.”
Looking back on the season, Boudinot is not only pleased with what has happened but what she hopes will happen.
“This has been a phenomenal team,” the coach said. “It was A lot of fun to work with experience.
“I believe we will continue to improve … We cannot judge the season by one game.”
