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A total of 18 student athletes were recognized Wednesday during a special spring signing event at Lakota East High School. In photo – (Front L-R) Taylor Holden, Danielle Fleming, Ali Lake, Morgan Costa, Erin Smiddy and Hannah Copeland. (Second L-R) Kayla Lamar, Justin Smith, Brett Colburn, Adam DeLaet and Anna Star; (Back L-R): Ben Bostick, Justin Burton, Kalen White, Tyler Gibbons, Jordan Combs, Kyler Corbett and Zachary Daniel. Photo taken by Barb Trimble of TrimPhotoAndVideo.com. For more photos from the event, visit http://proofs.trimphotoandvideo.com/g/052213east

A total of 18 student athletes were recognized Wednesday during a special spring signing event at Lakota East High School. Overall, athletes from 11 different sports at Lakota East selected to attend 14 colleges and universities from the around the country.

Among those recognized, four will be competing for Division I programs, the highest level of collegiate sports. That includes Jordan Combs, who will compete in the pole vault at Miami University; Taylor Holden, who will play tennis for the University of Rhode Island; Ali Lake, who will play volleyball at Ohio University; and Anna Starr, who will play volleyball at Bowling Green State University.

• Benjamin Bostick – football – Centre College
• Jacob Burton – wrestling – College of Mount St. Joseph
• Brett Colburn – baseball – Capital University
• Jordan Combs – track, pole vault – Miami University
• Hannah Copeland – soccer – Carroll University
• Kyler Corbett – football – Moorehead State University
• Morgan Costa – lacrosse and basketball – Walsh University
• Adam Delaet – baseball – Walsh University
• Zachary Daniel – football – Ohio Northern University
• Danielle Fleming – volleyball – Ohio Dominican University
• Tyler Gibbons – baseball – Capital University
• Taylor Holden – tennis – University of Rhode Island
• Ali Lake – volleyball – Ohio University
• Kayla Lamar – basketball – University of Virginia at Wise
• Erin Smiddy – golf – Ohio Dominican University
• Justin Smith – football – Centre College
• Anna Starr – volleyball – Bowling Green State University
• Kalen White – men’s volleyball – Alderson-Broaddus University

Combs recently finished first in the boys’ pole vault at the Greater Miami Conference meet. This week, he will compete in the Division I track district tournament at Winton Woods.

Holden, meanwhile, selected URI because she wanted to play at a competitive school on the East Coast. She was also considering Massachusetts, George Washington, Seton Hall, St. Bonaventure and Ball State. For Lakota East, Holden was a four-time state quarterfinalist, state doubles runner-up in 2009, GMC Player of the Year in 2011 and was named first team all-city from 2009 to 2011.

Lake selected Ohio over other offers that included Xavier, James Madison and High Point. She verbally committed to Ohio as a sophomore and also had interest from North Carolina, Tennessee and Marquette.

Starr, who was previously committed to Wright State, signed with Bowling Green, according to the Lakota East athletic department. Starr was named first team all-GMC in 2012 and was a captain as a senior. She joins fellow senior Madeline Garda, who signed with BGSU earlier this year.

The 18 student athletes join the 17 others from Lakota East, who signed with colleges in February. Those athletes include Derek Baker (baseball – Ashland), Ethan Bryant (baseball – Sinclair), Chris Elam (baseball – Lincoln Trail), Jarrett Rindfleisch (baseball – Ball State), Lea Buckenmyer (softball – Goshen), Jake Chestnut (football – Notre Dame College), Richie Gould (football California University of Penn.), Keith Brady (football – Columbia), Ashley Evans (volleyball – Purdue), Madeline Garda (volleyball – Bowling Green), Emily Roth (swimming – Findlay), Kyle Lee (Lacrosse – SUNY Herkimer County Community College), Stedman Lowry (basketball – Hillsdale), Matthew Rice (cross country/track – Harding), Kelly Burrows (cross country/track – Northern Kentucky), Andrea Felix (soccer – Slippery Rock) and Will Mahone (football – Notre Dame College).

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports, Spring sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Ali Lake, Ali Lake Lakota East, Ali Lake Ohio University volleyball, Anna Starr, Anna Starr Bowling Green, Anna Starr Lakota East, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Ohio football recruiting, Ohio High School sports recruiting, Ohio preps recruiting, Ohio sports recruiting, Taylor Holden, Taylor Holden Lakota East, Taylor Holden Rhode Island

Lakota East volleyball preview

An earlier than expected loss last postseason has given the Thunderhawks something to prove in 2012.

Lakota East, which was ranked No. 4 in the state in the final coaches’ poll of 2011, saw its 20-game winning streak end in the district final in a 25-23, 25-23, 26-24 loss against school district rival Lakota West, a team the Thunderhawks defeated in straight sets just a month before.

Lakota East head coach Casie Garland cheers on her team during a win against Lakota West last fall. Photo taken by Tony Tribble.

After the match, Lakota West head coach Tracey Kornau said of the upset, “if we play (Lakota East) ten times, we win once. Today, was that once.”

The Firebirds would lose their next match to Mount Notre Dame, a team that went on to win the Division I state championship in 2011 after also losing to Lakota East in the regular season.

“We went through the regular season and we were 20-1, so to end the season 22-2 against a team we beat pretty well during the regular season was disappointing,” Lakota East head coach Casie Garland said.

“But, that is the way it happens sometimes. They came out to play and we didn’t. I think we definitely learned from that match because I think we kind of overlooked them and now we realize that we can’t overlook anybody.”

Garland admitted the team will use the loss to Lakota West as motivation for this season and hopes East can advance further in the postseason in 2012 despite losing six seniors to graduation.

Among that group of seniors, five are now playing in college including Morgan Weinheimer (University of Mississippi), Hannah Berling (Tusculum College), Hannah Sigala (Morehead State University), Lauren Beitel (Otterbein University) and Emily Bostian (Otterbein).

“The luxury we had last year is that we had six juniors as well,” Garland said. “So, we have a good core coming back, but we will definitely miss the ones from last year.”

Leading the core of returning seniors will be Greater Miami Conference Player of the Year Ashley Evans (committed to Purdue University) and GMC first teamer Ali Lake (committed to Ohio University), who was among the conference leaders in kills and assists last season.

Ohio University commit Ali Lake celebrates during a 25-20, 25-19, 25-16 win against Lakota West last fall. Photo taken by Tony Tribble.

Senior Madeline Garda (committed to Bowling Green), who is competing for the libero role, also returns.

“They (Evans and Lake) have really taken on a leadership role, on and off the court,” Garland said.

“They are definitely our biggest offensive threats, but I think people underestimate our defensive ability. With Garda and (junior) Cailyn Wachtel back as our primary passers and defenders, overall defense is one our strengths.”

Another one of the Thunderhawks’ strengths is their depth, as there are multiple starting spots that have yet to be decided as the team gears up for its opener against Turpin and Wyoming next Saturday Aug. 25.

Senior setter Anna Starr is currently a starter, while her freshman sister Le Ann Starr is competing for a starting spot at outside hitter. Another competition, for a starting middle hitter role, is between freshman Spenser Parks and sophomore NaDiah Fry.

Another player who is competing for a starting spot is senior Danielle Fleming, who Garland said has improved tremendously from past seasons.

“This is my third year with these girls and it is exciting to see their growth for the past few years,” Garland said. “Their excitement, their dedication, they really deserve something special to end with. I think everyone’s goal to make this season the best for the seniors and go out with a bang.”

WestChesterBuzz.com will preview the 2012 Lakota West volleyball season on Monday

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Ali Lake, Ali Lake Lakota East, Ali Lake Ohio University volleyball, Anna Starr, Ashley Evans, Ashley Evans Lakota East, Ashley Evans Purdue volleyball, Casie Garland, Casie Garland Lakota East, Casie Garland volleyball coach, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Lakota East volleyball, Le Ann Starr, Madeline Garda, Madeline Garda Bowling Green volleyball, Madeline Garda Lakota East, NaDiah Fry, Spenser Parks

The athletic departments at Lakota East and Lakota West high schools recently named their athletes of the week. Sophomore Malik Grove and junior Annie Bierman received the honor at Lakota West, while senior Cindy Combs and junior Ali Lake were honored at Lakota East.

Grove led the Lakota West football team to its biggest win of the season last Friday. In the Firebirds’ 25-20 victory against Lakota East, Grove drove his team 70 yards down the field in the last seconds of the game. During the drive, Grove completed a 29-yard pass to senior wide receiver Kayuane Ross on a 4th-and-8 from the 32-yard line and a three-yard pass to Ross for the game-winning score with 31.9 seconds left. Grove, who started the season as Lakota West’s third-string quarterback, has led the Firebirds to wins in two of his three starts this season.

Bierman played a large role in Lakota West’s district championship win against rival Lakota East last Saturday. Bierman finished with a game-high 12 kills and three shot blocks in West’s upset against East. She also had a game-high 13 kills in a win against McAuley last week. Both McAuley and Lakota East, who is the No. 4 ranked team in Ohio, had beaten Lakota West earlier in the year.

Combs is a senior varsity football cheerleader. According to the school’s official athletic website, eastthunderhawks.com, “Cindy is a strong but silent leader on the squad. She works her hardest at everything she does. She has been a big help with creating tumbling for formations for pep rally dances and helping with the younger squads learning new material.”

Lake, who is committed to play volleyball at Ohio University, had 12 kills, seven blocks and five blocks in last Tuesday’s win against St. Ursula in the district semifinal and had 11 kills and three blocks in last Saturday’s loss to Lakota West in the district final. Lake was second in the Greater Miami Conference in blocks 11th in kills.

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Ali Lake, Annie Bierman, athletes of the week, Cindy Combs, Lakota East, Lakota East athletics, Lakota East cheerleading, Lakota East soccer, Lakota East Sports, Lakota East volleyball, Lakota West, Lakota West athletics, Lakota West football, Lakota West sports, Lakota West volleyball, Malik Grove

Led by junior Ashley Evans, the Lakota East Thunderhawks, ranked No. 3 in the Cincinnati Enquirer coaches’ poll, were able to snap a three-game losing streak to rival Lakota West, No. 6 in the coaches’ poll, in three straight sets 25-20, 25-19, 25-16 Wednesday. The win marks the first time Lakota East had defeated the Firebirds since 2008.

“This is our first win for me as a junior and we finally won for our seniors,” said Evans of the first time she defeated Lakota West. “This one is for them.”

Last season, under first-year coach Casie Garland, Lakota East had lost to the Firebirds in the regular season and in a 25-23, 23-25, 23-25, 25-17, 15-8 thriller in the final 16 of the state tournament.

“It feels real good. I think we had a lot to prove from last year, losing to them twice,” Garland said. “We gave them a good run in the tournament, but I think we knew that this year was our year.”

Lakota West head coach Tracey Kornau, who has led the Firebirds to conference titles the past two seasons, also thought the Thunderhawks were going to be the team to beat this fall in the Greater Miami Conference.

“We knew they were going to be the team to beat going into this year,” Kornau said. “I believe that they are ranked in the state so far below where they should be. They are tough. We knew that going in and we didn’t respond to anything that they sent at us. They just come at you with so many weapons.”

>>>PHOTOS OF LAKOTA EAST AT LAKOTA WEST MATCH<<<

One of the biggest weapons is the 6-foot-2 Evans, who hammered 12 kills and had two blocks in the win. Evans, who will likely line up at setter when she attends Purdue University in 2013, did her damage against the Firebirds at outside hitter.

“She is one of the most versatile players around,” Garland said of Evans. “You can pretty much play her anywhere, but tonight it was all team and that is usually how we play. We spread it out, there is not just one person we go to or depend on and I think that is our biggest asset.”

Besides Evans, Garland received strong performances from seniors Lauren Beitel, who had eight kills, and Morgan Weinheimer, who finished with 25 digs.

Evans’ junior classmate Ali Lake contributed with seven kills, three blocks and an ace, while fellow junior Carlie Haddad finished with 11 kills. Like Evans, Lake had never been on a team that defeated Lakota West.

“This is amazing. We know it’s not the end, but it is still a huge step for us – not really physically, but emotionally,” said Lake, who is committed to play volleyball at Ohio University. “It is surreal.”

Both programs entered Wednesday’s match with perfect conference records and long winning streaks. In the end, it was Lakota East who extended their streak to 10 games and the Firebirds who saw their winning steak end at nine.

With the win, Lakota East improved its career record against its in-school district rival to 5-15. On the season, the Thunderhawks are now 12-1 overall and 6-0 against GMC opponents. Meanwhile, Lakota West falls to 10-3 overall and 5-1 in the GMC.

Lakota East was ranked 18th in this week’s Ohio High School Volleyball Coaches Association poll. Lakota West was ranked 11th in the same state poll.

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Ali Lake, Ashley Evans, Carlie Haddad, Greater Miami Conference, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Lakota East volleyball, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, Lakota West volleyball, photo gallery, photos, Tracey Kornau, volleyball, West Chester photos

Since winning its last Greater Miami Conference title in 2008 and graduating seven seniors, members of the Lakota East varsity girls’ volleyball squad and others in the conference have considered the Thunderhawks to be underdogs because of their youth.

However, that youthful group, which finished with a combined 36-14 record the past two seasons, is all grown up.

This year’s squad returns 11 student athletes, who were on the 2010 team, which advanced all the way to the final 16 in the state tournament last November.

“We have always been the underdog because we have always been told that we are too young,” senior setter Hannah Berling said. “We have a huge junior and senior class, but when we were freshmen and sophomores we were the babies, but now we won’t have that excuse anymore.”

>>>PHOTOS OF LAKOTA EAST’S FIRST SUMMER PRACTICE<<<

Berling, who led the Thunderhawks and was sixth in the GMC in assists in 2010 with 519, is among six seniors who will be featured on the 2011 varsity roster, according to second-year head coach Casie Garland. Other seniors, who were also on last year’s roster include Hannah Sigala, who is committed to play at Morehead State University, Lauren Beitel, Morgan Weinheimer and Emily Bostian.

Meanwhile, the junior class is led by Ali Lake (photo – click to enlarge), who is committed to Ohio University, and Ashley Evans, who is committed to Purdue University. (more…)

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Ali Lake, Ashley Evans, Casie Garland, Emily Bostian, Hannah Berling, Hannah Sigala, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Lakota East volleyball, Lauren Beitel, Morehead State, Morehead State University, Morehead State volleyball, Morgan Weinheimer, Ohio, Ohio University, Ohio University volleyball, Ohio volleyball, photo gallery, photos, Purdue, Purdue University, Purdue volleyball, volleyball, West Chester photos

Lakota East sophomore Ali Lake has announced that she has made a verbal commitment to play volleyball at Ohio University. She is the third volleyball player from Lakota East to make a commitment to a Division I program in April. Earlier this month, junior Hannah Sigala committed to Morehead State University and sophomore Ashley Evans committed to Purdue University.

This past fall, Lakota East finished in a two-way tie with Sycamore for second place in the Greater Miami Conference standings. The Thunderhawks finished the year with an 18-7 overall record and a 7-2 mark within the GMC.

Lake (photo), who is a 6-foot-1 middle hitter for the Thunderhawks, had 123 kills last season, according to the GMC website.

Sigala was named to the All-GMC Second Team after registering 97 kills in the fall.

Evans, who is a 6-foot-1 outside hitter at Lakota East, will be used as a setter at Purdue. This past fall, Evans was named to the All-GMC First Team and led her team with 228 kills.

“She is one of the most athletic and versatile player that we have on our team or even in the city,” Lakota East head coach Cassie Garland said of Evans. “She could probably play anywhere on the court.”

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Ali Lake, Ashley Evans, Casie Garland, Hannah Sigala, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Morehead State, Morehead State University, Ohio, Ohio University, Purdue, Purdue University, volleyball

Lakota West and Lakota East high schools recently released the names of their athletes of the week. Sophomore Ali Lake and senior Ben Slageter received the honor at Lakota East, while senior Korey Ward and senior Alex Azeez received the honor at Lakota West.

Ali Lake (photo) is a middle hitter on the Lakota East volleyball team. Lake played a big role in the Thunderhawks’ 23-25, 25-7, 25-6, 25-14 win against Springboro Sept. 18. Lake finished with nine kills, four aces and five blocks in the win.

Ben Slageter helped lead the Lakota East boys’ soccer team to a 1-0-2 record last week. Slageter, who is a midfielder, scored the Thunderhawks’ only goal in the 1-1 tie against Colerain Sept. 14. Slageter then scored twice in the first half during the 7-0 win at Middletown Sept. 15.

Korey Ward won medalist honors at the Dick Hadley Memorial Golf Tournament Sept. 18 with a 2-under-par 70 at Weatherwax Golf Club. His score bested 125 golfers and allowed his team to finish first in the tournament that featured 25 other schools.

Alex Azeez scored the Firebirds only two goals in Lakota West’s 2-0 win against Walnut Hills Sept. 18. Earlier in the week, Azeez scored in the Firebirds’ 5-0 win against Middletown Sept. 14.

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Alex Azeez, Ali Lake, athletes of the week, Ben Slageter, Korey Ward, Lakota East, Lakota West