For the second year in a row, Elgin earned at least a piece of the Northwest Central Conference volleyball championship. Here's how they did it.
MARION — Regardless of what happens next week at Lima Perry, Elgin will be adding the numerals "2025" to the volleyball banner in the gym.
The Comets dominated Upper Scioto Valley 25-20, 25-8, 25-10 and earned at least a share of the Northwest Central Conference championship. It is the program's 18th league title, its third since joining the NWCC and its second in a row.
"I am not interested in sharing," Elgin first-year head coach Caitlin Gracely said with a laugh.
That's what happened to the Comets last year when they fell 3-1 at Hardin Northern to end up sharing the NWCC title with the Polar Bears.
"It’s really nice," she said of winning the league crown with a match at Perry remaining Oct. 9. "I have really enjoyed my time with the girls this year. A lot of changes. For these seniors to have all the adversity and come into their senior year with a new coach, that takes a lot of courage for them, too. I’m really proud of all them."
Elgin is now 15-4 overall and 8-0 in the NWCC. USV falls to 4-14, 1-6. Hardin Northern is 12-6, 7-1 as everyone else in the conference has three or more league losses. The Polar Bears wrap up league play Oct. 9 at USV.
According to Elgin senior Jordan Wall, when the Comets beat the Polar Bears 3-1 on Aug. 28 and followed it up with a 3-1 win over Ridgedale, that's when the team totally bought into the new coach and her approach.
"I feel like we’ve really connected on another level this year. We’re seeming more together and ready for the tournaments," Wall said.
To earn the championship, Elgin overcame a late swoon in the first set that saw USV take a 19-18 lead before the Comets ended with 6 of the last 8 points on the board. In the second set, Elgin held leads of 10-2, 11-5 and 22-6, while in the third set, the Comets scored 11 of 12 points in a run to turn an 8-7 edge into a 19-8 lead.
"I have know since the very beginning how much potential is on this court and in that locker room," Gracely said.
The Comets hope to turn this league title into momentum for the Division VI postseason that starts in less than two weeks with the tournament draw slated for this weekend.
"We’re going to definitely hit the gym hard," Wall said. "We’re hopefully going to take a bye in the tournament, so we’re going to that whole week off to mentally and physically reset and maybe have a scrimmage in there."
Gracely has plans for her team to keep them locked in and ready to play.
"It’s keeping them active," the coach said. "I know they don’t like to run, but we just have to keep our legs moving. At tournament time, they all have to be prepared for five sets. That’s been a hard thing in these last couple league games. They’ve been just three (sets). They have to be willing to go the extra mile if you will. They have to be willing to put in that extra work if they want to reach the goals they have for themselves. I’m certainly hopeful that they do."
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This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Elgin 'not interested in sharing' its newest NWCC volleyball title
Category: General Sports
