Tipp’s Abby Mader delivers a point during Wednesday’s three-set win over Piqua. (Press Pros File Photos)
The Tipp Red Devils continued their 19-game win streak without dropping a set with a shutout over Piqua. Tipp ranked for the first time in the latest poll.
Piqua, OH – Afterwards, Tipp volleyball coach Howard Garcia appreciated another win Wednesday night, and how his team had done it.
And this over the fact that the 19-0 Tipp Red Devils may have actually been overlooked, and underappreciated for what they’ve done.
And if you’re one of those not in the know, the Red Devils are 19-0 for the season, have won 57 consecutive sets, and yet, just last week cracked the Top Ten in Division III rankings by the state coaches’ poll for the first time – at #10.
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“It all comes down to preparation,” said Garcia. “And we prepared mentally and physically during the off-season. And the kids were really into it, and now they look forward to getting on the court to prove that we’ve got something we can go out and show.”
For a couple of decades they’ve had something to show, and as recently as three years ago won their way (27-0) to the state Final Four in Division II before losing to Gates Mill Academy in the semi-final round.
Once again, Garcia has his team on the threshold state-wide respect with the state tournament draw coming up this weekend. And respect is what they seek after Monday’s 25-6, 25-14, and 25-11 pounding of Piqua (8-12).
When we last saw Tipp play they were 3-0 following a win over Troy on August 22.
“But we’ve improved tremendously,” says Garcia. “Our ball control is much better, we have a quicker offense, and we’re learning how to best manage our rotations. We’ve improved because everyone does their job, and they understand what their job is.”
“I’m competitive, and I want my team to be competitive, but it comes down to respect for yourself. So you disregard what someone thinks, and think about what you are and who you are.” – Tipp coach Howard Garcia
But oddly, for the sake of respect it took nearly two months for anyone to recognize – all those wins and all those sets – across the state as being one of the Division III’s top ten teams.
“Well, it bothers you, and it doesn’t,” Garcia adds. “The reason is that I’m competitive, I want my team to be competitive, but it comes down to respect for yourself. So you disregard what someone thinks and think about what you are and who you are. This team knows what its identity is. During the 2020 year no one gave us a chance and we went to the Final Four and proved that they deserved it. And this team has as much talent as that team.
“Again, you have to be able to deal with your own self and abilities, and not someone else’s opinion.”
One of the issues for recognition has been strength of schedule. The Miami Valley League is hardly recognized as a volleyball league, although Piqua finished runner-up in the state twice back in the early 90s, twenty years before most of the current players were even born.
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“That’s part of it,” adds Garcia. “You look at the polls and you see all those teams from up north and out of Cincinnati.”
And it’s true. Of the Top Ten in this week’s coaches’ poll, half of the top ten in Division III come from above the I-70 dividing line (Hoban, Norwalk, Ursula Academy, Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin, and Gilmour Academy). The only teams from southwest Ohio are Tipp and Hamilton Badin.
“But we scrimmaged as many top teams as we could in the pre-season,” says Garcia. “We played the Turpins, the Badins, and the New Bremens of the world, all very fine programs, and we held our own. So now the kids know they’re prepared to take their progression to the matches. They take it personally and get their job done”.
He has a nice mix of experience, talent, and leadership. There are six seniors who were around for the 2020 tournament run, and at least one admits that she’s motivated by respect shown.
Piqua’s Megan Hull stretches to save a point in Wednesday night’s match with Tipp.
“We proven that we’re the best team in the league,” says Emily Aselage. “And there’s great talent on this team just like there was in 2020. We’re still kind of young, but we have enough varsity experience to know how to play together. We played together last year, and we mesh well together.”
But should it have taken this long – with 19 wins and 57 straight sets – to have at least been recognized by the rest of the state?
“No, and it was super exciting [to make that poll],” says Aselage. “But we’ve always been below everyone else because no one really thinks of us as being that good, or anything. So making the Top Ten was a great accomplishment.”
They have three matches remaining on their regular season schedule – Sidney, Butler, and Versailles – so finishing unblemished is hardly a sure thing, or something to be taken lightly if they do.
But, regardless of what comes, you have to disregard what others think and dwell on what you think of yourself.
That’s what Howard Garcia is teaching.
That, and some pretty good volleyball.
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