Russia’s Hazel Francis follows the path of a kill in the final set of Saturday’s historic Regional win over Fort Loramie in Division VII volleyball; (Press Pros Feature Photos by Julie Wright Daniel and Sonny Fulks)
It took five sets, and all the antacid and Advil available, but the Russia Raiders outlasted defending champion Fort Loramie to advance to next week’s OHSAA Division VII Final Four.
Clayton, OH – Afterwards, Russia volleyball coach Aaron Watkins had red, emotional eyes.
Some of his players were in tears.
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Parents, fans, friends and more than a few who routinely root for the underdog were a bit emotional, as well.
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Saturday, Watkins and his Raiders secured a piece of history by defeating the defending state champion, and Shelby County League rivals, Fort Loramie to advance to the OHSAA Final Four next weekend for the first time in school history – 25-15, 23-25, 20-25, 25-19, and 17-15. It was by far the most competitive match of their season, and gut-wrenching enough to watch to cause an unaffected security policeman to say afterwards, “I really didn’t care, but it’s a shame that either of those teams had to lose.”
That’s unrealistic, of course. It’s sports – competition – and someone always doesn’t win.
But this time Russia DID win, after nine seasons of playing bridesmaid under Watkins as head coach, and nine seasons of his bravely posturing that the goal for the Raiders’ season was to take the proverbial ‘next step’, be it district, regional, or now as it turns out…state title.
At match point…Russia’s Aaron Watkins let go of nine year’s of frustration over failure to win a regional title.
A stock broker by day, Watkins first words, post-game were, “The market just hit an all-time high for me.”
But for a program tired of watching the rest of area and Shelby County League schools claim state titles in volleyball, compared to finally getting their own chance to cash in…Wall Street and Dow Jones was like finding coins in your couch.
Three weeks ago Watkins had said on these very pages: “The district isn’t good enough goal anymore. This year I (we) want a regional title.”
Anyone could have said it. And they say it every year. It’s ‘coach speak’, words of false or empty optimism. Only, this time Watkins believed that because the Raiders (21-6) had played their best schedule in history, shared the SCL title with the defending state champion (Loramie) and Anna, and had only been shut out once this year…by another state champion (Coldwater). He really did have a chance to make good on such an aggressive phrophecy. And after blowing out state #2-ranked Leipsic in Wednesday’s semi-final round, the tone in his voice made you believe that he was more sure of his chances than in previous years. This was the year.
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More coach-speak?
You wouldn’t have known by the way they played in the first set of the regional finals at Northmont on Saturday. Aggressive, and confident from the first point, they got off to a 16-5 run at the start, made Loramie look like the team with nerves and apprehension, and cruised to a 25-15 win to capture that all-important momentum they talk about in volleyball.
Sea of red in support…as Fort Loramie fought to defend their state title from 2024 against rival challenger, Russia.
But Fort Loramie, despite all the graduation losses, is still one of the premier programs in OHSAA volleyball. And the Redskins came back immediately in the second set to set up a see-saw drama that saw four ties and three changes of the lead. Loramie, with a push at the end, finally won it, 25-23.
In the third set they both held short two-point leads until tying at 10-10. Loramie then crept out to a four-point lead when suddenly Russia just went cold, playing their worst five minutes of volleyball in the tournament. Loramie advanced its lead to 19-14 before a missed serve provided a crack in the door and allowed Russia to stick its foot through, and back into the game. They got as close as 21-20, but no closer…Loramie again gathering enough composure to make shots and save points on a couple of long, extended rallies. And again, they had push enough at the end to win by five points, 25-20.
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With their backs to the wall in the fourth Russia summoned whatever it took (like they put on the T shirts) to come out and grab a quick lead, and held that lead until Loramie tied it at 15-15. Then the ‘Skins had some serving issues – free points – that allowed Russia to retake the lead at 16-15 and ride that lead to an eventual 25-19 win to tie the match.
Russia’s Aryana Cordonnier extends a point during the pivotal fifth set.
Obviously there was a big and boisterous crowd. There always is when Fort Loramie and Russia play in anything. And a fifth set with a trip to the State Finals at stake put both groups of supporters in another level of frenzy for the deciding game. Russia took an early lead, but again Loramie came back to tie, and go ahead.
Russia hit a spurt, trailing Loramie 10-11, to tie at 12…at 13…at 14…took a one-point lead at 15-14…then tied at 15. Missed serves by each team gave the other 1-point advantages at match point. Neither could connect. But Russia finally took the lead at 16-15, and a moment later a simple tip over the net found an open space, and with an awkward touch found its way to the floor…the winning point Watkins and the Raiders. Their student section, family and onlookers finally had that elusive historic win.
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“Always believed that we could do this,” said Watkins, afterwards. “And I was thinking about my sister, because we lost both parents over the past three years and they didn’t get to see this. But I know they were looking down today, super proud and super excited. And I know they’re smiling now.
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“I’m excited for the kids, our seniors, and for them to finally to break through. And I’m excited for another week of practice, and for them enjoying the experience of going to the State Tournament.”
To their stumble after taking the first set, Watkins agreed.
“That’s part of high school volleyball. You have the momentum swings, and we had to talk about finding something to regain our traction, make a play, and refocus. We had some of that all year – up and down – and to end on the high that we had today I’m really proud of the resilience that we showed.”
It’s hard, admittedly, to speak about the specifics of how they did it at such a time. But a couple of his players, sophomore Aryana Cordonnier and junior Hazel Francis had no trouble at all.
“My heart rate’s about 120,” smiled Francis, unable to conceal her own emotion and excitement. “And it was probably 150 during those last five points. It was very stressful, but I kept thinking move on, reset, and make a play because nothing is going to stop us. I think our confidence wavered from time to time. But we did it. We made history today.”
Cordonnier contributed throughout with kills on offense and defensive saves, and admitted that the experience was something she’d never experienced prior in competition.
“Our juniors have to come back next season ready to fight to get back to this point.” – Fort Loramie coach Kelly Hoying
“It’s amazing. The feeling is amazing,” she said, trying her best to appreciate and understand the moment.
“We worked so hard this week to have this moment. It feels almost too good to be real.”
Any doubts that it would happen?
“No,” said Cordonnier. “I believe in this team, we have a very close relationship on and off the court, and we all believe in each other. And we beat the team that we wanted to beat to have this happen. Yep, we split during the season and we really wanted to beat them today.”
Rivalries are rivalies, regardless of history and emotion.
And outside her locker room Fort Loramie coach Kelly Homan was patient to talk about what could only be termed a stunning disappointment with so much on the line…in her first year as head coach.
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“We just didn’t finish,” said Hoying. “We fought our way back from them leading 8-5, we got back into the set, and then we didn’t finish. I think it was a mental thing for us. All mental.
Kourtney Phlipot left little doubt at match point over the excitement of playing for a state championship.
“Our seniors have been great leaders and that’s hard when you’re the only returning player from last year’s state team. Izzy (Meyer) and Jenna (Hoying) did a great job of balancing that emotionally so we’re going to be missing those pieces next year.”
But the hard reality, despite the sentimental emotions, is that for a competitor at any level…it hurts to lose
“I’m not a good loser,” admitted Hoying, forcing a smile. “So I’m pretty upset right now. I’m sad for out seniors, and to be losing them…but my juniors coming back next year have to use this moment as fire to remember what the hurt feels like. And they have to come back next season ready to fight to get back to this point. You have to lock in, focus, and mentally overcome this.”
Aaron Watkins knows the hurt and the frustration of nine years waiting his turn. And with an overnight and whatever time he chooses on Sunday to enjoy the moment, he now prepares to meet Monroeville in the Thursday semi-final at Butler High School. By the time he boarded the bus back to Russia, the emotion and the redness in his eyes were gone.
“We’re gonna’ watch some film on Monroeville,” said Watkins. “And we’ll celebrate this, but Monday we come back, refocus, and get ready for another game.”
And hopefully, another chapter in history.
Russia’s Lily Francis saves a point as teammate Hazel Francis looks on during the final moments of Saturday’s Division VII regional final.
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