Spartans fall to Medina in regional semi

MENTOR — Boardman’s best season in nearly two decades came to an end Thursday night, as the Spartans fell in 3-1 to Medina Highland in the Division III, Region 9, semifinals at Mentor High School. “I thought we played decent,” Boardman head coach Rebecca Martinez said. ”They re a well-put-together team. We definitely could have beat them on a good night.” Neither the Spartans nor the Hornets managed to create much separation in the first set. After Highland took a 10-6 lead behind a series of kills by Gigi Shank, Boardman, leaning on star outside hitter Maya Flores, won four straight points to tie it. The Spartans similarly stuck close behind late into the set. However, after Boardman pulled back within a pair of points to make it 22-20 Highland, the Hornets closed the opening set strong, winning three consecutive points to take a 1-0 lead in the match. Motivated by the first-set defeat, the Spartans charged out to a 5-2 lead to open the second set. Soon after, they extended their adva