Last week was not kind to most of the region’s better teams. Upsets seemed to be the norm rather than the exception.
Fairview knocking off Midview in a West Shore Conference has to be the big kahuna. The loss not only cost Midview sole possession of first place, it also cost the team its head coach.
Deb Borsz resigned Friday after yelling at a student following a game, Superintendent Howard Dulmage said.
“We had a situation where she had an altercation with one of the students,” he said. “The coach felt the student had done something wrong.”
Borsz voluntarily tendered her resignation after a sit-down with Principal Susan Bobola and Athletic Director Bob Maver, according to Dulmage.
She had been coach for three years, but is not a teacher in the district. Assistant coach Katy Zapolnik will coach the team for the duration of the season.
The Middies were in excellent position to get a little wiggle room in their quest for at least a tie for the WSC title. Now tonight’s match against co-leader Bay at home is almost a must-win.
Of all the contenders in the WSC, Rocky River (9-3, third place) looks to have the best schedule. The Pirates play Firelands and Fairview, with a combined 7-17 record. Bay is facing the toughest final two matches with Midview today and fourth-place Avon (8-4) on Thursday.
Elyria took its first loss in the Northeast Ohio Conference Valley Division. The Pioneers are still in good shape. A victory tonight over Lakewood (0-8 in division matches) gives Elyria the championship.
Wellington’s upset of Keystone leaves the Patriot Athletic Conference even more up in the air. First-place Buckeye (10-1) has to play both its challengers — Keystone (9-2) and Brookside (9-2) — this week. Buckeye is at Keystone tonight.
Brookside got its first loss outside of the PAC when the Cardinals fell to Huron, Ohio’s No. 13 Division III team. Huron (15-5) has yet to lose to a non-ranked team. Four of the losses have been to Division I and Division II teams.
The only area teams to play more than one match last week and avoid being beaten were Wellington and North Olmsted, neither of which are in the chase for a conference crown. Oh, and Olmsted Falls went 3-0 last week, but that’s not news.
• It’s hard to quibble with the recently announced seedings for the postseason tournaments Lorain County will be hosting next week. Perhaps Brunswick and Midview could be flip-flopped at fourth and fifth seeds. Brunswick (13-4) certainly should not be taken lightly, but the Blue Devils are in the relatively weak NOC River Division.
Midview is tied for first in the WSC. Granted, their conference mates are all Division II members, but an argument can be made for Bay, Rocky River and Avon being stronger clubs than Medina and Valley Forge.
• In addition to Midview’s Borsz not finishing the season, North Ridgeville head coach Kelsey McQuality resigned last week for personal reasons.
Chronicle-Telegram reporter Jason Hawk contributed to this report.
Contact Steve Byrne at 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com. 

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Amanda Balasko, North Olmsted

CLASS: Senior
POSITION: Outside hitter
LAST WEEK: Had 12 kills and 22 digs as North Olmsted avenged an earlier loss to Southwestern Conference rival Avon Lake. Had 11 kills and 10 digs in a victory over Berea.
OTHER SPORT: Softball
FREE TIME: Amanda and Kim Bulcroft, her teammate and co-Player of the Week, are good friends and enjoy watching movies (horror films, “chick flicks”) and attending sporting events together.
FUTURE PLANS: Has her college choices narrowed to Mercyhurst, Tiffin, Heidelberg and Marietta. Will major in bio-chemistry and forensics and play varsity volleyball.

Kim Bulcroft, North Olmsted

CLASS: Senior
POSITION: Middle hitter
LAST WEEK: Helped the Eagles win both their matches in three games last week. Came up with 18 kills and 18 digs against Berea and 14 kills and 12 digs against Avon Lake.
FREE TIME: In addition to watching movies and supporting the other varsity teams at North Olmsted High School, Kim enjoys going to the beach at Huntington State Park.
FUTURE PLANS: College choices are Baldwin-Wallace, Marietta, Urbana or Heidelberg. Hopes to major in business marketing and graphic design and play varsity volleyball.

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