Lake Catholic Celebrates Its Volleyball Teams At Awards Night

It says something about how consistently successful 's volleyball team is when they can make it to the regional finals, and some would still misconstrue it as a disappointing season.

The Cougars may have not been able to repeat as Division II state champions but Coach Rich Severino reminded his team of how much they accomplished this season during their Awards Night Tuesday evening.

"We were 20-7. We were the regional runner up, which means we were in the Elite 8," Severino told them. "Did we reach our goal? No. But we did have a successful season. Other schools would kill to be in the Elite 8."

Severino added that the team accomplished all of this despite having six starters graduate last year and playing a more demanding schedule this season.

He also told his players that he learned a lot from this year.

"I think I stressed defeding the state championship instead of letting this team find its own identity," he said.

Severino individually thanked each of his varsity players. He also gave the seniors a special gift to remember their time on the team -- posters of themselves playing.

The coach and parents also congratulated the players who made all-league, district and state teams. They include:

• Sammy Kline, first team, North Coast League; first team, District II
• Bridget Wilhelm, second team, North Coast Leaguel second team, District II
• Kara Oster, honorable mention, North Coast League
• Abby Detering, most valuable player, North Coast League; first team, District II; second team, All Ohio
• Kendall Young, honorable mention, District II

JV Coach Megan Kempf also thanked and congratulated her team at Awards Night.

"We were a very successful team," Kempf said. "We had some of the best talent at the JV level I've ever seen."