Riverside ready to hit road again for D-I district final

The new tournament format for high school volleyball is certainly different from the past, and Riverside knows all about that.

Gone this season is the tradition Division I district tournament at Euclid, where for years mostly area teams have converged to battle for a spot at regionals. It’s been replaced — for one season at least — by a larger seeding system in which the higher-seeded team hosts.

That new system has forced the Beavers to be road warriors this postseason, and so far the results have been impressive. On Oct. 24, the No. 7 seed played at No. 5 seed Willoughby South in a sectional final and earned a sweep against their Western Reserve Conference neighbor. On Oct. 27, Riverside went on the road again and defeated No. 6 seed Canfield in five sets.

It wasn’t easy. The Beavers rallied from two sets down to force a fifth and deciding set, and prevailed in the D-I district semifinal marathon at Canfield, 2025, 24-26, 25-18, 25-22, 15-8.

The start of it was an adjustment, said Riverside coach Ali Vires. Canfield’s

gym ceiling is lower than the one at Riverside’s, and in the first set, Vires’ team hit the ceiling beams on numerous occasions.

“This tournament has definitely been different,” said Vires. “We were in such unfamiliar territory, so that definitely added to the challenge.”

When the Beavers (176) dropped the second set and trailed, 2-0, it marked the first time all season they needed to win three straight to take a five-setter. Fortunately, senior cap

tain, four-year starter and Bucknell recruit Jen Sivak and others were there to keep things even-keel.

“It took a lot of focus, a lot of energy. To have the stamina, and mental focus needed was huge,” said Vires. “They knew what was on the line, and with all changes with the district, they were determined. They weren’t ready to be done yet. They dug deep.”

Sivak recorded 15 kills and seven blocks, and fellow senior Maddie Herman contributed 44 assists. Also

big was freshman Brianna Herman, who had 22 digs.

“Bri has played a huge role for us,” said Vires. “Jen’s been great for us her entire career.”

Riverside hits the road again and will play at No. 3 seed Green in the Northeast 1 District final at 1 p.m. Oct. 31.

The Beavers are looking to repeat as a district champion, as they won the Euclid District a year ago.

“It’s been huge to do it on the road throughout the playoffs,” said Vires.

PAUL DICICCO — FOR THE NEWS-HERALD Riverside volleyball coach Ali Vires talks to her team during it’s Division I sectional final win over South on Oct. 24. The Beavers play at Green in a district final on Oct. 31.