By Cort Reynolds

The visiting Ada High School volleyball team won the first two sets, but dropped the last three at New Knoxville to lose a five-set heartbreaker in Div. IV sectional first round action Tuesday night, October 18.

The Lady Bulldogs won the first two close sets 25-23 and 25-22 to grab a two-game lead. But NK rallied by taking game three 25-15, then evened the match with a 25-16 win in set four. 

In the decisive fifth set, the Rangers pulled away for a 15-6 win to clinch the match and advance to the second round.

Ada finished its season 11-12, nine wins more than in 2021. The Ranger girls improved to 6-16 with the comeback victory.

Ada senior libero Courtney Sumner dug up 27 hits and ends her career as the all-time program leader in digs.

Senior Emilee Huffer hit four kills and came up with two blocks in her last Bulldog match. 

Versatile junior setter Autumn Andreasen passed out 18 assists, came up with 13 digs, smacked three kills and made two blocks.

Sophomore Lily Baumgartner drilled nine kills, mustered 15 digs and served three aces.

Junior Daicy Robinson knocked down four kills and made two blocks. Freshman Anna Conley hit four kills.

Sophomore Tessa Griffith came up with 12 digs.

NK faces fifth seed Perry (14-6) at Marion Local in the sectional finals Thursday, Oct. 20. The winner advances to the district semifinals at Wapakoneta.

New Bremen (19-1) is the top seed.