Bigger and more physical…Newark Catholic’s block at the net was a state semi-final obstacle for the Cardinals. (Press Pros Feature Photos)
The New Bremen Cardinals squandered a two-set lead in the Division VII state semi-final Thursday, falling to Newark Catholic in five sets. It just wasn’t their day.
Fairborn, OH – New Bremen coach Diana Kramer admitted that she didn’t see it coming.
Up two sets to none Thursday in the Division VII state semi-final to unbeaten Newark Catholic, the Cardinals were nearly flawless in the opening two sets, winning the first 26-24, and then the second, 25-20.
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They appeared poised, serving well, confident in the serve/receive, and pinpoint in their passing and setting. There were hiccups – unforced errors – but they played through them despite the pressure of the state tournament stage.
“But we knew they were good,” said Kramer of Newark Catholic. “There’s a reason why they’re undefeated (25-0.)”
And at 8-8 of the third set, Newark began to use its superior size and more veteran lineup to suddenly go on a 6-1 run…a 14-9 Green Wave lead. It seemed to burst the Cardinals’ bubble.
For the next ten minutes the usually precision-like Birds began to wobble in flight – missed serves, hits, sloppy serve/receives, and to use the well-worn volleyball phrase…out of system.
New Bremen rallied at one point to climb back to 14-13, but never closer, and Newark began to get into system, pulling away to an eventual 25-17 win.
“I never thought we wouldn’t rebound, or come back,” said Kramer afterwards. “I always believe in us until the final point.”
New Bremen’s Mary Rindler scores a kill in the first set of Thursday Div. VI semi-final loss to Newark Catholic.
Problem was…Newark began to believe, as well. The Green Wave sprinted out to a 16-9 lead in the fourth set, and then a 25-20 win to put New Bremen’s back, and season, against the wall in the fifth and final set.
Desperately needing a run to start the third, and momentum, it wasn’t to be. Surprisingly, New Bremen didn’t have a run of more than five points all day. Momentum, that vital component to winning volleyball, simply eluded them. New Bremen called its final timeout trailing 10-5, but could get nothing going to interfere with the bigger, and confident Newark Catholic team.
Instead of playing in system for the final five point, Kramer’s Cardinals found themselves playing in survival mode. And when a well-placed tip touched the floor for match point, Newark Catholic had staged the improbable three-set comeback to win, 15-7.
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“They’re a great team,” said Kramer in the post-game press conference, trying her best to hide the disappointment of what had just transpired.
New Bremen’s Mariana Muether goes for the kill during the Cardinals’ Div. VI semi-final appearance at the Nutter Center.
“They were bigger, they were physical, and they served aggressive. They played aggressive, and they caused us to make some mistakes.”
Asked if physical size was the difference the game, Kramer didn’t mince words.
“Yes,” she answered. “They average 6’1″ across the net, and we average about 5’7″. That’s hard to play against. And they started earning a lot of points.”
As you might guess, it was a quiet press conference with a lot of red eyes, and Kramer’s amongst them. Asked what they would take home from the experience, she said: “I love these girls and it’s a privilege to be their coach. I love our community and the way they showed up to support us.
“But today just wasn’t our day. In the third, fourth, and fifth sets they went on some huge runs. And when I say huge runs I don’t mean ten-point huge…but four and five points huge. And in a close match four points are huge. Maybe it was just one minute in actual time, but those runs were what doomed us today. ”
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New Bremen finished their year with a record of 25-3, and a lot of sophomores and juniors returning next year that were instrumental in their getting to the state semi-final round.
It wasn’t their day…New Bremen finished their season with a record of 25-3 and a solid and experienced nucleus for 2026.
“I’m just so proud of this group, and how much they accomplished. They’ve been doubted so much, and they’ve proved so much.
“And not only are these girls champions in my heart, but they’re champions in New Bremen. It doesn’t matter if they won or lost today…they’ll be champions for the rest of their lives.”
In the second Division VI semi-final St. Henry earned the right to represent the MAC Conference in the weekend championship finals by defeating a talented, and stubborn Independence team in four sets.
The Division VI final between Newark Catholic and St. Henry will be played on Saturday at the Nutter Center, at 2:00 pm.
New Bremen was there in support….”I love our community and the way they showed up to support us.” – Diana Kramer
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