The Ohio High School Athletic Association Division III girls volleyball state championship match between McNicholas High School and Padua Franciscan was interrupted by an emergency evacuation at the Nutter Center.
The event was delayed after a fire alarm was triggered at the Wright State University venue, according to “an OHSAA post on X.”
Spectators and teams were safely removed from the building as a precaution.
One attendee noted the atmosphere during the exit, stating, “everyone is back inside after smelling something burning on the way out,” according to The Enquirer.
Tim Stried, the media relations director for the OHSAA, clarified the cause of the disturbance.
He explained that a popcorn maker being transported to McLin Gymnasium for a separate university match malfunctioned inside an elevator.
The machine filled the elevator with smoke, which subsequently activated the building’s safety systems, the outlets reported.
Fire crews arrived at the scene to address the situation, ensuring the building was secure for the tournament to proceed.
Following the brief evacuation, the teams were granted a 20-minute warmup period to regain their composure before the match resumed.
Both coaching staffs agreed to the additional warmup time to ensure player safety and preparation.
Before the interruption, McNicholas High School had secured a lead by winning the first set with a score of 25-20.
The match serves as a high-stakes highlight for the state tournament, which experienced a rare disruption due to the mechanical issue.
Officials confirmed that no injuries occurred during the evacuation process at the Wright State facility.
The tournament continued as scheduled once the fire department cleared the area for play to resume.
The incident highlighted the rapid response protocols maintained by the OHSAA during major athletic events.
The championship match remains a focal point for high school sports enthusiasts across the state.