Oct 14, 2025
HUDDLED UP — The Toronto volleyball team huddles during a timeout during Monday’s tournament match. – Aaron Petchal
TORONTO — The Catholic Central volleyball team opened and ended the season at Toronto as the Red Knights won all three meetings from the Crusaders this season.
With the regular season wrapped up, Toronto and Catholic Central met in an Ohio Division VII Eastern District Sectional Semifinal Monday night inside the George J. Kunzler Memorial Gymnasium, and the sixth-seeded Red Knights were able to defend the castle from the 10th seeded Crusaders as the girls from the Gem City came away with a sweep, 25-14, 25-15, 25-7.
“Catholic Central played hard throughout the match,” first-year Toronto (10-13) head coach Shannon Bahen said. “They’re scrappy. They stayed in the whole time. They made us make mistakes. I give Catholic Central a lot of credit for how hard they played. It was a big night for our girls. They were able to get a tournament win. We’re looking forward to Wednesday, and hopefully we are able to get another win.”
The Red Knights won all three matches against the Crusaders this season with Toronto sweeping all three matches.
“We battled, but it just wasn’t enough,” first-year Catholic Central (2-21) head coach Kaylyn Cochran said. “Toronto is a tough team. It’s tough going into your first game. They got the best of us twice during the regular season. There was a lot of mental stuff to deal with. With teenage girls, it is hard to deal with the mental stuff.
“The girls did a phenomenal job. They got a new coach right before the start of the start of the season. We had to learn each other. We came together. I wish things went better, but we made a lot of progress this season. The girls really developed. They did a phenomenal job.”
With the win, Toronto will now take on No. 1 seed Conotton Valley in a sectional co-final at 6 p.m. Wednesday night out at Bowerston. The Rockets swept the Red Knights during the regular season.
“I like where we are at right now,” Bahen said. “They are a pretty tough team. Yes, they are the No. 1 seed. They are a tough team, but we are not too shabby either. If we play up to our full potential, we will be tough to beat. The girls just have to believe that and go out and play to their full potential.”
The Crusaders battled, but the Red Knights were able to withstand their charge as the girls in white proved to be too tough to overcome.
Individually for Toronto, Gracee Rex recorded two kills, two assists and 20 digs, Danielle Sutherin delivered 14 assists and 10 points and Jayna Reeves contributed 14 kills and two blocks. Also, Sydney Fisher finished with six kills and two aces, Emma Parello produced five kills and two blocks and Kylie Mitchell tallied four kills and two blocks. Next, JJ Rebich chipped in with one kill and 12 assists, Haley Bodnar added one ace and three digs and Jaylee Brown ended up with two digs and one point. Finally, Brynn Donnelly chipped in with three digs, while Josey Dickinson collected one kill.
“I told the girls it is hard to beat a team three times in one season,” Bahen said. “Catholic Central played very hard. They made it difficult for us. We opened the season against them, and then we played them midway through the season. They progressed defensively. Their hitters progressed. They kept us on our toes. They stayed in it the whole time. They battled. I have to give credit to my girls. They battled, and they were able to dig deep when they had to.”
The girls in blue put up a fight, but the hosts were too much to overcome.
“Tonight, we were able to battle,” Cochran said. “We were not able to do that at the beginning of the year. We kept battling. Defensively, we were able to keep the rally going. We may not have won the point, but we were able to keep the rally going. Our record is not indicative of the talent we have on this team.”
The match was the final one for Catholic Central’s three seniors – Julia Nurczyk, Mary Fink and Karlie Nese.
“I wish I had more time with them,” Cochran said. “They have stepped up since Day 1. They were the leaders on the court. I am sad to see it come to an end.”
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