Black River’s Megan Mey passes the volleyball as Ashley Wine backs her up. Photo Courtesy of AARON JOSEFCZYK/GAZETTE

ELYRIA — Beating Shaker Heights Laurel’s volleyball team is a difficult enough task when you’re at full strength. Trying to do so with your best player sitting on the bench— as Black River did on Tuesday night — is next to impossible.



The Pirates fought gamely with All-District hitter Casson­dra Zumack sidelined with a concussion, but dropped a 25­-6, 25-9, 25-11 decision to the Gators at the Elyria Division III sectional.



“You never want to make excuses, but playing without the same lineup and routine that you’re used to can throw everyone off,” Black River coach Ashley Auvil admitted. “The girls tried as hard as they could, but we just didn’t have the guns tonight.”



With Zumack out with a concussion that she suffered seven days earlier against Buckeye, the Pirates (7-16) simply could not challenge fifth-seeded Laurel (18-5) at the net.



Senior middle hitter Liz Guilford performed well in her final match for Black River with a team-high six kills and one block, but the rest of the squad was simply over­matched.



Gators junior Ellen Rogers (13 kills, 2 blocks, 0 unforced errors), senior Brittney Jack­son (11 kills) and sophomore Rory O’Shaughnessy (7 kills) helped Laurel rack up a 35-13 kill advantage and win the blocking battle 5-3.



“We all tried our best and did what we could — and never gave up,” said Guilford, a three-year starter. “It’s been like that all season. All of the girls and my coach made this an unforgettable senior year.”



The Pirates, who finished with their highest win total since 2006, started three fresh­men for the majority of the year. That continued in the postseason as outside hitter Megan Mey (3 kills, 3 digs), setter/hitter Maleah Ferriman (1 kills, 3 assists) and defen­sive specialist Savanna Slone all were in the starting six against Laurel.



They were joined by Guil­ford, junior setter Holly Jaycox (team-highs of 8 assists, 2 blocks) and junior hitter Kelly Hozan (2 kills, 1 assist) — nicely illustrating that Black River has already begun build­ing for its 2010 season.



“The young kids really stepped up and are going to have a great future,” Guilford said. “It says something about the ninth-graders because I can’t imagine going from mid­dle school to varsity volleyball in just a few months time.



“Then you have a good set­ter in Holly and Kelly, who sac­rificed her body all over the court. They’re going to be even better next year.”



That is exactly what Auvil is aiming for, though she says the club will dearly miss Guil­ford’s talent and leadership skills.



“Liz was my only senior and she really, really stepped up all season for us,” Auvil said. “She filled her role, even when it changed during matches like tonight when I put her in the back row to try and change things up. She adjusted very well to everything and I can’t tell you how much I’m going to miss her.”