COLUMBUS GROVE - Fittingly, the biggest match of the Ada volleyball regular season came down to a fifth set for the first time all season Tuesday night at Columbus Grove.
The visiting Ada squad ran away with a 15-7 win in the decisive final game to beat Grove and capture the Northwest Conference title outright to repeat as league champions.
With the see-saw triumph, the purple and gold Lady Bulldogs finish the regular season 16-6 overall and 8-0 in league play. Grove fell to 14-8 and 7-1 in the NWC with the showdown defeat.
The Ada volleyball team was seeded fourth at the Ottawa-Glandorf district Div. IV drawings held Sunday.
Ada (15-6) will host sixth seed Pandora-Gilboa in first round tournament play Tuesday, October 18 at 6 p.m.
The winner then visits third-seeded Hardin Northern, which received a first round bye, on Thursday, Oct. 20 at 6 p.m. in the district quarterfinals.
Ada did not play P-G this season, but lost 2-0 at county rival Hardin Northern September 3. McComb is the top seed in the 13-team O-G district, while Leipsic is seeded second.
The Bulldogs have won 12 of their last 13 matches since the loss to HN.
By Dusty Donley
Fueled by another outstanding performance from quarterback Seth Conley, the Bulldogs claimed their third straight victory, going on the road to beat the Paulding Panthers 49-20.
Conley was effective both through the air and on the ground, tallying 413 yards of total offense and six touchdowns. The win moves Ada to 5-2 overall and 3-1 in the Northwest Conference.
ADA — Freshman Christiaan Williams (Sidney/Anna) and junior Zach Schmerge (Wapakoneta/Wapakoneta) have been named Ohio Athletic Conference Players of the Week for their efforts Ohio Northern's 58-21 victory over Capital, Saturday afternoon.
Williams was named Offensive Player of the Week, while Schmerge earned Defensive Player of the Week.
Williams earned his second Player of the Week honor after rushing 23 times for 127 yards and four scores.
Schmerge led the Polar Bear defense with 15 tackles and a half sack.
The Polar Bears will return home Saturday to host John Carroll under the lights at 6 pm at Dial-Roberson Stadium.
