By admin 
Staff Photo / Dan Hiner Girard head coach Phil Walters, center, talks to his team during a timeout during a Division V regional semifinal against Elyria Catholic on Thursday at Berkshire High School in Burton.
BURTON – Not many coaches last 24 years in high school sports. And not every team is talented enough to make it to the regional semifinals.
The Girard volleyball team had both in 2024, but the Indians’ streak ended Thursday in a 3-0 loss to Elyria Catholic in a Division V regional semifinal. The Panthers won 25-21, 25-21, 25-11 at Berkshire High School.
“Obviously it’s an uphill battle, but this whole season has been a fun battle to take on,” Bailey Walters said. “We have come further. Personally, this is the furthest I’ve gone in my high school career, so it’s a really big moment not only for me, but for the rest of the seniors as well.
The Indians started strong and had a 14-11 lead halfway through the first set. But there was a long delay as Girard tried to get an explanation about a phone call.
That gave the Panthers enough time to regroup. They tied the set at 15 and managed to string together enough attack to extend the lead to 21-18. A kill from Clara Kilgore ended the set at 25-21 and gave the Panthers a 1-0 lead.
Girard continued to fight and the second set was tied at 5 in the early stages, but Elyria Catholic piled up several points to take a 10-6 lead. At one point the Panthers led 20-14, but the Indians cut the deficit to 22-19.
However, there weren’t enough chances left in the frame, and another kill from Kilgore gave EC a 25-21 win and a 2-0 lead.
Elyria Catholic dominated most of the third set. The Panthers had a 7-2 lead to start the final frame. The Indians got a few points back at the end, but it was too much to overcome.
Girard finished the year 20-6 and won his district. Along the way, they finished 11-1 in the Northeast 8, sharing the conference crown with Lakeview.
In the playoffs, the Indians entered the district tournament as the No. 5 seed. They defeated Akron Manchester in straight sets to advance from the sectional, and a 3-1 win over Columbiana sent them to the district finals. They settled things 3-1 over Chippewa to advance to the regional bracket.
“(The team) communicated so well,” Pieton said. “We played so well and I couldn’t have asked for a better season. I am happy and so proud of them.”
Bailey Walters, Nicolette Cochran and Pieton made up a senior class of three girls who helped lead the Indians this fall.
“We had a very difficult schedule, so that helped us. And I think it was great to get to a district championship (for the first time in a long time),” Cochran said. “If they get this far, especially with a young team, they will be great next year.”
With the loss, not only does Girard say goodbye to three seniors, but the program also says goodbye to head coach Phil Walters. The longtime coach is retiring to focus on his health and family.
Phil Walters started coaching in 2000 and has remained with the program ever since. However, there was a two-year exception due to his health. During his run, the Indians became a competitive program, and in recent seasons they really came into their own.
The Indians made it to the district championship game in 2021 and 2022, and he completed his prep coaching career with a run to the regional.
“I’ve always said, ‘I’m not a coach, I’m a guy who loves volleyball,” said Phil Walters. “It’s been a great run. We have a great group of girls from Girard, and we always have. It’s a special place to teach the sport, and hopefully they can all come away with the love I have for it, and that’s the most important thing.
“It’s always special to put numbers on the wall, but did they have a good time in the end? Have they learned the sport? That’s the most important thing.”
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