Special Weather Statement issued March 19 at 4:28AM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH (details ...)
Gusty winds from 35 to 40 mph this afternoon could blow around unsecured items. Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high profile vehicle. Secure outdoor items.
Today 53° Today 53° 32° 32° Tomorrow 41° Tomorrow 41° 21° 21°
Wednesday, September 26th, 2007

Fans come out to support good cause, and see great match

By Ryan Hines
Photo by Mark Pummell/The Daily Standard

Coldwater's Kelley Lefeld, 14, and Celina's Liz Homan, 13, were battling all night long, but it was Homan's Bulldogs that came away with a thrilling come-from-behind win in five games over the Cavaliers.

COLDWATER - For the first time in my life, I felt out of place for not wearing pink.
That's because coaches, players, fans and officials were dressed in pink in support of breast cancer awareness all throughout The Palace when Celina visited Coldwater on Tuesday evening.
A packed gym was treated to a thrilling five-game match with Coldwater winning the first two games only to see Celina win the final three in this Mercer County matchup.
The Cavaliers looked in control winning the first two games, 25-23 and 25-22, behind the play of Kelley Lefeld.
However, Celina's Liz Homan led a furious Bulldogs charge as the Green and White extended the match to the limit with 25-17 and 25-15 wins in games three and four.
Coldwater looked to have regained momentum leading by as many as five points late in the fifth game, but Celina came storming back for a 16-14 triumph.
"We didn't come out and play as well as we are capable of playing in the first two games, but I think that we played that way in the last three games," said Celina head coach Carolyn Dammeyer. "Actually, I felt that tonight we played hard and to the level that we are capable of playing at for the first time in five or six matches. We never quit, and I'm happy that we won the match."
Coldwater head coach Mandy Diller was disappointed her team was unable to finish off its county rivals after leading two games to none.
"It's a tough loss to take when you go up two games like we did and then lose the next three," said Diller. "We didn't play to our ability in the final three games and just couldn't get over the hump to finish Celina off. Celina's a good team and showed a lot of heart coming back to win in five games. It's just disappointing that we weren't able to finish. We need to step it up another level."
Lefeld's powerful right arm helped spark Coldwater in the first two games as the senior middle hitter for the Cavs had 14 kills. Her opportunities were limited in the final three games by poor Cavalier passing, but she still managed to finish with 26 kills.  
"We couldn't get the ball to Marla (Hess, Coldwater setter) because we were having some trouble with serve receive and then our passing," said Diller. "The passes have to be pretty good to set your middle and we didn't get that in the last three games."
Homan began to make her presence felt to lead the Celina comeback as the Bulldogs' middle hitter started to dictate play at the net.
"In the third, fourth and fifth games, Liz started blocking and she wasn't getting her hands over the net in the first two games," said Dammeyer. "Blocking is the key to our defense and Liz did a great job of getting over the net from the third game on. When you can block, you can stop a good offensive team and that's what we did."
Homan finished the night with a match-high 25 kills and 11 blocks.
Lefeld, Maria Wermert and Ali Wenning found their hitting touch and helped Coldwater to a 12-7 lead in the fifth game.
An intense gathering during a timeout then helped breathe life back into Celina and Homan's hitting, along with Maria Dorsten's serving, allowed the Bulldogs to inch closer. Celina won four of the next five points and got to within two points at 13-11, forcing a Coldwater timeout.
A Dorsten ace and a Homan kill tied the game at 13-13 before a Coldwater hitting error gave Celina match point. Lefeld tied the match for the Cavs with a kill, but a Homan slam and a Coldwater hitting error allowed the Bulldogs to escape with a five-game win.
In addition to Homan's prowess on offense, Cenzie Yoder added nine kills, Kelsey Mastin added six kills and Kelsey Waterman added five kills and 13 digs. Maria Dorsten had 18 assists, Julie Klosterman had 15 assists and five aces while Audrey Harner added 20 digs.
Celina turns its focus back to the Western Buckeye League title race on Thursday as the Bulldogs travel to Kenton to face the Wildcats. Coldwater is back in Midwest Athletic Conference competition on Thursday at Rockford against Parkway.
Photo by Mark Pummell/The Daily Standard

You would never have guessed it by looking at this picture, but these are Celina and Coldwater fans watching their teams play each other on Tuesday at The Palace in Coldwater. Gone were the green shirts for Celina and the Black and Orange of Coldwater were also missing as fans, players, coaches and officials were encouraged to wear pink in support of breast cancer awareness.

Photo by Mark Pummell/The Daily Standard

Celina's Kelsey Mastin takes a swing at a ball during the Bulldogs' volleyball match against Coldwater on Tuesday evening at The Palace. Celina lost the first two games, but won the last three contests for the match victory.

Additional online story on this date
Recent yields of soybeans and corn have been better than expected, considering the drought-like conditions during the growing season.
"The first so [More]
Subscriber and paid stories on this date
Celina city officials have agreed to buy the Winkeljohn Printing building at 212 N. Main St., but still have not revealed any long-term plans for the site.
NEW BREMEN - The Lock One Restoration Project should be complete within the next 30 days, according to reports presented when New Bremen village councilors met Tuesday night.
COLDWATER - A new exterior storage facility may be constructed on school property once money from the school's maintenance fund becomes available, according to Superintendent Rich Seas.
Tolentino and Ignacia Rodriguez, who realized the American dream by starting Casa Rodriguez Mexican restaurant more than 25 years ago in Celina, are getting ready to pass the business on to their two daughters.
Opportunity came at the right time for the Celina Bulldogs.
After a scoreless first half, Celina finally got on the board against Elida when Tyler Hoyng scored off a free kick with 33:18 left to go in the contest.
Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry
Celina concluded regular season dual match action in tennis, beating Lima Central Catholic 4-1 on Tuesday.
The NetDogs lost just one dual match all season, that coming in the OTCA Team Tournament last week against Fremont Ross.
Week 5 is now complete, which means the high school football regular season is now half over.
At this time every year, you can look at the computer points of each of the 24 regions in the state and unofficially eliminate half the teams from serious playoff contention.