By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information
Toledo, Ohio---Macy Reigelsperger (Coldwater/Coldwater, Ohio) totaled 26 kills today to lead the No. 9 Owens Community College women's volleyball team to a Region XII District F championship.
The sophomore middle blocker helped lead Owens to a 25-13, 21-25, 28-26, 25-22 win over Cincinnati State Technical and Community College in the winner's bracket finals before helping to secure a 25-17, 25-21, 25-10 win over Columbus State Community College in the championship.
Reigelsperger was named the Region XII District F tournament MVP, while Ally Mikesell (St. Henry/St. Henry, Ohio) and Brooke Gyori (Clay/Oregon, Ohio) were named to the all-tournament team.
Winner's Bracket Final: Owens d. Cincinnati State 25-13, 21-25, 28-26, 25-22
After dominating the first set en route to an early lead, Owens saw Cincinnati State take a close second set and produce multiple set points in the third set. However, Owens persevered and won a tough four set match to advance to the championship round.
Reigelsperger led the team with 15 kills, although Taylor Purcell (Bedford/Temperance, Mich.) added 10. Four others also contributed as Erika Hartings (Coldwater/Coldwater, Ohio) had nine, Mikesell had eight, Christine Tylutki (Monroe/Monroe, Mich.) had seven and Ashley Pleiman (Fort Loramie/Fort Loramie, Ohio) had six.
Deanna Smith (Riverview/Riverview, Mich.) totaled a team-high 29 assists, while Tylutki added 20. Gyori led the team with 26 digs, although Tylutki (21) and Mikesell (20) each also added plenty. Samantha Reer (St. Paul/Norwalk, Ohio) chipped in nine.
Reigelsperger led the team in blocks with seven (four solo), although Pleiman added six (one solo).
The win represented the third four set decision over Cincinnati State for Owens this year.
Championship: Owens d. Columbus State 25-17, 25-21, 25-10
In the championship, Owens faced 11-8 deficits in each of the first two sets, but never appeared to lose control en route to the program's first district championship since 2012.
Reigelsperger (11) led the team in kills, while Pleiman, Hartings and Mikesell each added eight in a balanced effort. As a team, Owens hit .387 offensively.
Smith (22) and Tylutki (19) led the way in assists, and four players chipped in one service ace apiece.
Gyori (23), Mikesell (16) and Reer (10) led the team in digs, while Reigelsperger had a team-high four blocks (three solo). Pleiman added three blocks.
Notes
Owens is now 37-6 overall. They advance to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II National Tournament in Phoenix, Ariz. Nov. 19-21. The tournament will feature the top 16 teams in the nation.
This year's district championship is the ninth in program history for Owens volleyball, and it's the fourth at the NJCAA Division II level. The team last won in 2012, when they finished third in the nation at the NJCAA Division II National Tournament.
Reigelsperger, the tournament MVP, ran her streak of consecutive matches with at least 10 kills to 18. In the three matches for Owens during the tournament, she totaled 43 kills, three aces, 19 digs and 15 blocks (eight solo).
Gyori totaled 67 digs, one kill, five assists, three aces and one block in the tournament. Mikesell had 27 kills, 59 digs, three assists, two aces and four blocks (three solo) in the tournament.
Other members of the all-tournament team include: Julia Wynn (Columbus State), Brett Bey (Columbus State), Rebecca Robben (Cincinnati State) and Juma Armando (Vincennes).
Columbus State, who won the district championship last year, defeated Cincinnati State 25-22, 25-21, 21-25, 25-20 in the loser's bracket finals to reach the championship. They entered the tournament as the No. 3 seed, while Cincinnati State was the No. 2 seed.