Tag Archive for: Tori Long

SOMETIMES THE LONG WAY IS THE BEST WAY

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COLUMBIANA OH- Tori Long has been ruling the roost in Columbiana girls sports for her entire high school career. Whether it’s volleyball in the fall, basketball in the winter, or now softball in the spring Tori has been a mainstay of consistent leadership. Softball has always been her go to though, and now she gets one last season to compete in the red and white.

Long is a dynamic threat for the Clippers that can do a little bit of everything. But what the opponents of Columbiana should really be worried about is her work in the circle. Tori headlines a pretty deep pitching staff from the Clippers that are coached by two former college pitchers.  That’s not where it ends though, Long certainly fits the description of a pitcher who can rake. Her bat is as electric as her arm. When you add all that to the fact that she’s one of the strongest leaders you can ask for, there aren’t too many people more valuable to a team.

Tori took the time to talk with Anthony Hartwig this week to discuss her senior season. She talks about what made her college decision so easy, who has been so important in her softball journey, and much more.

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THE LONG WAY TO THE TOP

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COLUMBIANA, OH- Tori Long has never been one to brag or boast.  To be honest, she’s never had to.  In fact, most opponents understand very quickly that the “Blonde Bomber” for Columbiana means business.  There’s an ora of intimidation when she stares you down from across the net, in your face with outstanding defense, or from the circle each spring and summer.

That is until the game is over.

Then, Long may just be one of the happiest, and bubbly personalities you’ll ever come across.

However, if you ask her, that’s been a work in progress.  Long has waited a long time to be the Queen of Columbiana High School Sports, as she’s been taken under the wings of many Lady Clippers along the way.  The ironic thing about the wait is that Tori Long doesn’t crave the spotlight, she is quick to give credit to her teammates, coaches, and family for the efforts they’ve put forth.  She feels as though she’s just in a position of strength because of the talent that surrounds her each season.

As Long prepares for the first season of her final chapter in Columbiana, she took time out to sit down for a Player Profile (the first of three this year) and discuss many aspects of what things have looked like from her lens along the way.  Find out what recruitment was like, what legacy she wants to leave behind and MORE on this week’s Columbiana Player Profile: The Long Way to the Top!

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CARDINALS EDGE COLUMBIANA LATE

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COLUMBIANA OH – It was senior night for the Columbiana Clippers coming off a loss last week looking to bounce back against the Cardinal Mooney Cardinals. The Clippers would come up short after Mooney surged in the second quarter on both sides of the ball with assistance from Guard/Forward Katie Hough. Hough reached double digits in points in the winning effort.

Columbiana had the lead after the first quarter 16-8 thanks in part by Guard Grace Witmer and Guard Tori Long with free throws and a few backdoor passes that led to field goals. The Clippers led in rebounds in the first quarter thanks to Addison Zohnd who stopped any second chance shots by Mooney on the defensive side. Second quarter both teams closed the gap with tight defense. Both teams only allowed 9 points each going into halftime but it was Columbiana who went into the locker room leading 25-17.
Third quarter Hough got going in a big way for the Cardinals. Helping them to claim the lead for the first time with 5 minutes left in the quarter after an 8-0 run. Hough and Mooney led going into the final quarter 35-30. The Clippers made it interesting in the fourth quarter closing the gap to 4 points but Mooney would come away with the victory. The Cardinals beat the Clippers 46-41.
*Contribured by YSN’s Anthony Melone

RIDGE FIGHTS OFF CLIPPERS FOR A DISTRICT TITLE

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MINERAL RIDGE OH- Mineral Ridge Volleyball has gone a long time without a district championship. They’ve had several teams over the years with promise who have gotten to the title game, but came up short. Their 2020 squad was determined to put an end to the drought. They’d have to battle their way past a very scrappy Columbiana team in order to do it. The Rams came away with a hard fought four set victory to finally be crowned district champions (25-22 25-16 14-25 25-23).

Leading the Rams offense was Katelyn Lesko who finished with 19 kills on the day. She also completed a double double tallying the team lead in digs with 20. Morgan Sigley had a strong outing finishing with 19 digs, and 9 kills. She had the title clinching kill as well. Danielle Aulet ran the offense to perfection collecting 37 assists.

Columbiana was led by Tori Long who finished with a double double. She tallied 10 kills, and 10 digs. Maddie Witherow put together a strong performance with 7 kills, and 15 digs. Maci Linhart led the Clipper offense with 16 digs. Grace Witmer set up 19 assists. She also compiled 8 digs, and 4 kills.

(Chris Giovannone)

Mineral Ridge advances to the regional semifinals where they’ll travel to Uniontown Lake on Thursday to take on Dalton. That match is set to begin at approximately 7:30.

Columbiana ends the season with a 20-6 record.

(Chris Giovannone)

*Postgame interview with Katelyn Lesko, and Head Coach Ron Lesko

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwwqTyUHEAA[/embedyt]

 

CLIPPERS WIN A WILD MATCH TO ADVANCE TO TITLE

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COLUMBIANA OH- Newton Falls came to the hanger in Columbiana on Wednesday night in the district semifinals. The Tigers brought everything they had and it made for a wild match. The Clippers were able to do enough to win in four sets, but none of the sets had a team below 20, and two of the sets went to extra points (27-25 30-32 25-20 25-20).

Tori Long was impressive earning a double double with 29 digs, and 18 kills. Maddie Witherow also contributed a double double with 12 kills, and 12 digs. Not to be outdone, Grace Witmer was able to notch a triple double with 29 assists, 10 kills, and 10 digs. Maci Linhart made incredible defense and gathered 44 digs.

Columbiana advances to the district championship where they’ll travel to top seeded Mineral Ridge on Saturday. That game is set to start at 1:00.

CLIPPERS GLIDE OVER LEETONIA TO ADVANCE

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COLUMBIANA OH- The Clippers got their tournament journey started on Wednesday night with a dominating sweep of EOAC rival Leetonia (25-7 25-13 25-18).

Tori Long did what she does best and led the offense with 8 kills. She also dug up 6 digs. Julia Rapp had a very productive day with 7 kills, and 5 blocks. She served 2 aces. Grace Witmer finished with a double double totaling 12 assists, and 13 digs. Maci Linhart also collected 13 digs to share the team lead.

Columbiana moves on to the sectional final where they’ll host twelve seeded Sebring. First serve is slated for 4:00.

CLIPPERS SEND SENIORS OUT ON TOP

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COLUMBIANA OH- It was senior night in the Hanger as the Clippers hosted Southern Local on Thursday. The four seniors saw their last regular season home game end with a sweep of Southern (25-19 25-7 26-24).

The last time these two teams met, it took Columbiana five sets to put away Southern, but it was much more domination from the Clippers this time around. Defense set the tone as the Clippers seemed to dig up everything the Indians put across. Frustration mounted for Southern in the second set as they saw Columbiana run away with a 25-7 win.

Southern bounced back nicely in the third set though. They finally started to find some holes in Columbiana’s defense. It wasn’t enough however, as the Clippers made clutch points down the stretch to finish the sweep with a 26-24 victory in set 3.

Tori Long led the offense with 9 kills on the day. She also played great defense with 13 digs. Grace Witmer compiled a double double with 14 assists, and 10 digs. Maci Linhart led the back row with 20 digs. Julia Rapp has a nice night as well. She finished with 7 kills, 3 aces, and 2 digs.

Columbiana looks forward to tournament play now as they host Leetonia on Wednesday October 21st. Southern will travel to Ashtabula St John’s.

COLUMBIANA GETS REVENGE ON EAGLES

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COLUMBIANA OH- Earlier in the season, United got the best of the Clippers in five sets down in Hanoverton. It left a bad taste in Columbiana’s mouth the rest of the season, that is until the Clippers got revenge over United with a sweep on Thursday night (25-18 25-10 25-22).

Maddie Witherow, and Tori Long both led the Clippers offense with 7 kills a piece. Witherow tallied 5 digs, and 3 aces while Long finished with 5 digs, and 2 aces. Maci Linhart led Columbiana’s defense with 16 digs. Grace Witmer put together a strong night with 11 assists, 6 kills, 4 digs, and 2 aces.

Tori Tschappatt led the Eagles finishing with 9 kills. Brooke Smith had double digit digs with 11. Haley Dees has a great day setting up 33 assists.

Columbiana has a big test on Saturday as they host Howland. United will try to bounce back against Valley Christian on Monday.

CLIPPERS SURVIVE SCARE IN MCDONALD

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MCDONALD OH- In the first match of the season, Columbiana has no problem with McDonald as they swept the Blue Devils at home. On Saturday they faced a much improved Blue Devil team, and got a much harder fight. The scrappy Blue Devils rallied to force a fifth set but eventually fell to the Clippers in 5 (25-21 24-26 25-10 24-26 15-7).

Tori Long has a great day for the Clippers, totaling 17 kills over the five sets. She also completed a double double with 10 digs. Maci Linhart recorded 20 digs to lead the Clippers defense, but was helped out a ton by Maddie Witherow who finished with 17 digs. Grace Witmer set up 20 assists for Columbiana.

Megan Klockner the freshman setter did a tremendous job not just setting,  but also serving. Klockner had 5 aces, and also recorded 14 service points. Molly Howard led the Devils in kills with 12. Maria Rasile got in to double digit digs with 14. Olivia Booth had 6 kills, and 13 digs.

Columbiana will get ready for another big test on Tuesday as they travel to Heartland. McDonald will also hit the road and travel to Jackson Milton.

COLUMBIANA PUTS THE HURT ON THE BLUE DEVILS

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LISBON OH- Columbiana has been rolling all season and that would not stop now. They continued their strong season in the EOAC with a hard-fought victory over Lisbon on Tuesday in four sets (25-23 25-15 22-25 25-12).

Tori Long has a huge night with a double-double. She finished with 11 kills, and 17 digs. Grace Witmer barely missed a triple-double on the evening. She collected 17 assists, 13 digs, and 9 kills. Julia Rapp had 8 kills, and 4 blocks. Maci Linhart led the Clippers in digs with 16.

For Lisbon, Justyce Vrable had 8 points, and 4 kills, Eliza Baker had 6 points, 17 assists, and 14 digs while Brooke VanGiesen had 9 kills, 16 digs.  McKenna Dailey also had 34 digs. 

Columbiana now looks to a huge matchup on Thursday as they host Wellsville.  Lisbon will travel to Valley Christian on Thursday.