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ZOARVILLE -- The Beaver Local Beavers gave it their best shot Wednesday.
The fourth-seeded Beavers lost to top-seeded River View, 19-25, 29-17, 25-13, 25-16, in a Division IV district championship volleyball match at Tuscarawas Valley High School.
It was the second straight year the Black Bears beat the Beavers in four games in the district final.
"I couldn't be prouder of the growth this team has shown,” Beaver Local coach Sarah Lowe said. “Starting the season with just three returning letter winners and a young lineup, these girls battled their way to a district runner-up finish. Tonight, they executed offensively, made some incredible defensive plays, and battled point for point.
River View, ranked fifth in the final Division IV state poll, improves to 24-1. The Black Bears advance to the regional semifinal at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, at Logan’s Jim Myers Gymnasium.
The Beavers finish the season at 16-7, including three five-game losses.
“We've prepared all season for this day, and unfortunately it didn't go our way,” Beaver Local senior Taylor Pease said. “I think we delivered very well and hit the spots we needed in order to score. We played through the good and bad and yeah it wasn't the outcome we wanted, but having positive vibes through it all helped us get through the tough moments.”
Pease and fellow senior Lily Schrieber led the Beavers.
Schrieber had 16 kills, five assists and 11 digs, while Pease had four assists, 19 digs and one ace.
“Although things didn't go our way, I think we played well as a team,” Schrieber said. “We played our hearts out through every moment no matter what the score was. I felt that we did a very good job staying in the play and not giving up during long rallies.
Also for the Beavers, Addie Thurik had 13 kills, three aces, five digs and 17 assists; McKinnley Ferry 13 assists, two aces and 11 digs; Leah Schrieber four kills and six digs; Madison Poppelriter four kills, one dig and two blocks; Olivia Opalenik three kills, four digs and two blocks; Gianna Congrove two assists and 10 digs; and Macie Bourne two digs and one kill.
“Our goal from day one was to be ALL IN, knowing it would take every player giving everything they had,” Lowe said. “Tonight, and throughout this season, they showed exactly what that means. I'm proud of the way they competed, supported one another, and finished strong.”
The Beavers will have a solid foundation for next season.
“Our seniors this season have been a strong asset in terms of both their leadership in their play and both Lily and Taylor will be greatly missed and big shoes to fill next year,” Lowe said.