Blue Streaks end season in D-III district semifinal

CHARDON — Despite being swept in a Division III district semifinal volleyball match Tuesday, Tiffany Salinas considered her first year of leading Madison a successful one."Maybe it didn't show as far as wins, but the girls came together and are building a culture," Salinas said of the team's 6-17 overall mark.On Tuesday at Notre Dame-Cathedral High School, the Lions defeated the Blue Streaks 25-13, 25-3, 25-10 in a Northeast 2 match.Salinas was pleased with the way the coaching staff and players meshed, despite getting a late start."Our coaching staff is great – Tracy Mead, Leah Radabaugh and Katlyn Mead," Salinas said.She was hired in July, about a month before the season started."Our preseason will be a lot sooner," Salinas said "We're going to work with the setters. We have more JO [Junior Olympics] numbers, our eighth-grade group is very skilled. We hope to build that team mentality."Gracie Kless, Brianna Butler, Cali Hughes and Nicole Montgomery are all graduating in the Spring.Kless had 303 digs, and added to her career school-record mark."They provided a lot of leadership and motivation, and were strong on offense and defense," Salinas said of the seniors.But the coaching staff is looking forward to the prospects of next season.For the 2026 season, junior Amara Morant collected 180 kills, 286 digs, 385 serve receives and 44 aces. Junior Jordan Osborne led the way with 45 blocks.Junior Callie McGuire notched 61 aces and 359 assists.After sweeping Trinity 25-10, 25-5, 25-18 last Thursday to capture a sectional title, the Blue Streaks, as the 33rd seed, went against perennial area power NDCL, the second seed in the sectional-district.The Lions were ranked second in the sixth week of the Ohio High School Volleyball Coaches Association state poll.In the first game, NDCL cut an early deficit to 11-8, before taking a 20-10 lead, and forcing a Madison timeout.The Lions went on to take the first game on a Blue Streaks hit out of bounds."We told them to go out and give it your all," Salinas said of her squad. "They're capable, but they have to get louder and play together as a unit."The second game saw NDCL jump out to a 13-2 advantage. Madison scored a point on a long Lions serve.But NDCL reeled off 12 straight points to claim the game.The Lions opened the third game with an 8-1 lead. Madison drew to within 11-6, however, NDCL kept surging forward, winning the match on a Frankie Brkic kill."They're very athletic and hit the ball hard," Salinas said of NDCL.The Lions are scheduled to play Avon Lake, a 18-25, 25-19, 25-12, 21-25, 16-14 winner over Warren Howland in the second semifinal, in the district final at 5 p.m. today at Peninsula Woodridge High School.