New Bremen Rallies to Defeat Tinora, Advances to State Semifinals
UPDATE: In a thrilling showdown at the Division VI regional final, top-ranked New Bremen defeated No. 6 Tinora 3-1, securing their spot in the state semifinals. The match ended with set scores of 25-19, 25-21, 18-25, 25-22, showcasing the intense competition between two volleyball powerhouses.
This urgent update from Fostoria reveals that New Bremen (25-2) has avenged last year’s heartbreaking loss to Tinora, who had rallied from two sets down to win in 2022. The Cardinals are now set to compete in their seventh state tournament in just nine seasons, highlighting their dominance in Ohio volleyball.
The match unfolded dramatically, with Tinora (24-3) initially falling behind. New Bremen quickly established a lead, taking the first set 25-19, driven by a series of powerful serves from sophomore MariAna Muether. Despite a strong comeback from Tinora in the third set, where they won 25-18, New Bremen regained control in the decisive fourth set.
In a nail-biting finish, the fourth set saw both teams exchanging points like a tense boxing match, with multiple ties at 18, 19, 20, and 21. New Bremen’s Allie Bornhorst delivered crucial aces that tilted the match in their favor, ultimately sealing the victory.
Coach Diana Kramer praised her team’s resilience, stating, “The fact that they found the mental toughness to beat a team like Tinora… I just couldn’t be more proud.” Conversely, Tinora coach Bretta Hagerty expressed pride in her team’s effort, especially given they had graduated seven seniors from last year’s semifinal squad.
Key players included Tinora’s senior Tatum Creps, who led her team with an impressive 22 kills, and Paige Gamby, who contributed 11 kills and three aces. For New Bremen, Mary Rindler stood out with 11 kills and four aces, while Muether added eight kills and five aces to her tally.
Moving forward, New Bremen will face No. 3 Newark Catholic in the D-VI state semifinals on Thursday at 4 p.m. at Wright State University. As for Tinora, their season concludes with another stellar record and a commendable GMC title.
In a poignant conclusion, Hagerty remarked, “It was a whole team effort tonight… we lost to a really good, talented team that has a lot of depth.” As both teams reflect on their seasons, the emotional intensity of this matchup will resonate with players and fans alike.
Stay tuned for more updates as New Bremen prepares for their upcoming challenge!
