For the first time in three years, there will be a new champion crowned in the Ohio High School Athletic Association Division II Region 7 boys’ volleyball district. The Berkshire Badgers made sure of that when they dethroned two-time regional champion Independence with a 25-16, 25-19, 25-13 sweep in the regional quarterfinals last Thursday evening in Burton.
“That is a great accomplishment, but our focus has always been on our side of the court this season,” Coach Tim Percic said. “Last year we were worried about this match-up and it got to us. Our team showed real good poise against a good Independence team.”
It marks the third straight season that the Badgers (15-6, 7-1) have earned a semifinal berth. If Berkshire defeats Villa Angela-St. Joseph in the semifinal on Tuesday night, it will advance to the regional championship for the first time in program history and face either Geauga County rival Chardon or Nordonia for a Final Four berth on Saturday afternoon in Burton at 1 p.m.
“I love playing that team (VASJ),” noted the five-year coach. “Like Independence and Chardon, these are grudge matches. Friendly rivalries but we are always playing our best against each other and that makes it exciting to play.”
Although it is the third straight year that the Badgers have reached the semifinals, they needed two victories to do so this year as the field in Northeast Ohio continues to expand, with the D-II Region 7 district fielding 16 teams this season.
On Thursday, Berkshire and the Blue Devils were trading points at the beginning of the first set, but after Independence led 9-8, Berkshire responded by engineering a 10-1 run to take an 18-10 edge.
According to senior setter Ryan Kessinger, Berkshire was locating the ball well but needed to use a little more force. Once the Badgers made that adjustment, they overpowered Independence to assume control of the first set.
“We had a lot of good serves,” the Badgers’ senior said. “Another thing we have been working on is hitting the ball hard and fast. We do a drill where if you do not hit it hard, you run and that played a really big role in Thursday’s win.”
Berkshire sealed the victory in the first set with a 7-6 run to take a 1-0 advantage and carried momentum into the second set by going on a 5-0 scoring spree.
In addition to putting more force in each hit, the Badgers’ scrappy nature also frustrated Independence. Throughout the season, Berkshire has prevailed more often than not because of its relentless approach, refusing to concede a single point. Berkshire’s resilient nature was demonstrated once again in the match against the Blue Devils as despite trimming its lead to 7-6, the Badgers went on a 12-5 run to increase their advantage to 19-11 near the end of the second set.
“I think it is really frustrating to see,” acknowledged Kessinger. “You look over and you think the ball is down and the other side is just getting it back up no matter what. We had a lot of long rallies and winning those long rallies is really a morale boost for the team.”
The Badgers closed out Independence in the third set by racing out to a 9-2 lead and never relinquished control, ousting the reigning kings of D-II Region 7.
Percic praised his team’s mental fortitude throughout the match.
“Kudos to some of our defenders who were picking up balls I never would have expected them to,” he said. “Roman Percic, Trent Hornak and Levi Rohl laid out a few times going Superman-style or Pete Rose going into second base to get digs that should not have happened but they did and as a coach it makes me want to rejoice because they are that much into it.”
Percic also highlighted the Badgers’ success at closing out Independence in the third set, as one of Berkshire’s greatest challenges this year has been to finish off its opponent by a sweep. Berkshire had trouble doing so against Brecksville-Broadview Heights in the first round on May 13 but showed no signs of slowing down in the third set against the Blue Devils.
Sophomore middle blocker Maddox Fuentes said that in addition to Berkshire’s gritty style of play, the team has been propelled by relying on the chemistry built last year, as the Badgers did not graduate anyone.
“Last year was upsetting at different times because we were off a lot and this year, I think we are really a good team by all being back together,” he added.
