The hole was just too deep for the Kenston Bombers.
Massillon Jackson dominated the opening set, 25-9, and quickly took a two-set lead in the Division I semifinals at the state volleyball tournament at the Wright State University Nutter Center on Thursday.
The Bombers battled back in a marathon third set, 33-31, but it was the Polar Bears that earned a trip to the title match with a 25-9, 25-20, 31-33, 25-11 win.
"They did a fantastic job of jumping all over us," Kenston coach Danny Coughlin said. "We never found a rhythm, we couldn't get things going. We were always playing from behind."
Despite it being their first trip to state, the Polar Bears seemed unfazed by the experience or the venue. According to Jackson coach Jeff Walck, it was a long time coming.
"I told these girls when they were in the 8th grade that I wanted to take them to a state championship," Walck said. "We've been talking about this for four years."
"These girls" were seniors Paige Hill, Kristin Cardwell and Laura Kelly, all of whom played key roles in Jackson's win. Hill, a middle hitter, led all scorers with 19 kills on the night. Cardwell, the setter, had a match leading 29 assists and Kelly, a defensive specialist, led with 22 digs.
While the Polar Bears were comfortable on the court, the Bombers were flustered.
"I'm a big advocate of composure, composure, composure and, tonight, we couldn't find it," Coughlin said.
But they did still have fight as Kenston posted its first lead of the night in the third set. They battled through 17 tie scores and six lead changes to take the set. But that win took a lot out of the Bombers.
"We were mentally tired," Coughlin said. "We have the physical ability, but playing from behind so much of the match took it out of us mentally."
Despite the outcome, Kenston outside hitter Jaime Kosiorek couldn't help but reflect on what she touted as the "best week of her high school volleyball career."
"The whole community really came together for us," said Kosiorek, who led the Bombers with 14 kills on the night. "When we drove by the middle school and the grade school on the bus, all of the kids had signs and were cheering for us. It's been great."
Jackson will face Ursuline in the DI final Saturday. The Lions, who won their last state championship title in 2009, toppled 2010 state champion Toledo St. Ursula Academy, 27-25, 20-25, 25-20, 25-15, in the semifinals Thursday.
"I don't think any of us expected to be here but they are really coming together and playing as a team," Ursuline coach Jeni Case said.
It is the Lions ninth trip to the state final and the Polar Bears first.