Utica 3, Lakewood 2
The Utica volleyball team (6-11, 4-7) went up against Lakewood on Sept. 29, and it was a battle to the final set with Utica taking a 3-2 victory.
This was a tight matchup that started with Utica taking two losses by one-sided scores of 25-14 and 25-19. However, the Redskins battled back with wins in sets three and four, both by scores of 25-12. In the final set, it was all Utica, who took a 15-10 win to secure the home conference victory.
Statistically, Lakewood had the clear advantage in kills, 49-40, and serve percentage at 89.8% to 83.5%. However, the Utica squad made plays count when it mattered to take the win.
Emma Kimpel had nine kills as the offensive leader as well as two aces, one block and 10 digs. Emilee Ellis and Alexa Gosnell each did well setting with 18 assists each. Ellis also had six kills, an ace and seven digs. Gosnell had eight digs, two blocks, two aces and six kills. Ellie Boggs posted seven kills, two blocks and a dig. Aubrey Hughes had 13 digs, and Lexi Weigland had 10 digs.
Abby Buchanan and Carlie Parsons each posted six kills. Parsons also had an ace, two blocks and six digs. Buchanan had four blocks.
Next for Utica is Granville on Oct. 4 at 7 p.m at home for a conference match.
Cardington-Lincoln 3, Northmor 0
The Cardington-Lincoln Pirates (14-3, 9-0) continued to be a powerhouse this season with a sweep win over Northmor (6-11, 4-5) on Sept. 29. The Pirates made swift work of the Golden Knights in the three-set win by scores of 25-17, 25-16 and 25-20.
Audrey Brininger was the star of the day for the Pirates with 16 kills, one block and nine digs. Izzy Wickline was efficient with 13 kills on 14 attempts. Wickline also had six blocks. Jadine Mills had 36 assists in a solid day setting the ball. Cadie Long and Payton Goodman played strong on defense with 17 digs and 12 digs respectively.
The Pirates did an excellent job serving in the win, at a 94.4% clip. Goodman had four aces in the win, with Mills and Brininger adding an ace each.
Cardington-Lincoln faces East Knox at 6 p.m. on Oct. 4. Northmor travels to Danville on Oct. 4 at 6:30 p.m.
Highland 3, Shelby 1
Highland (16-1, 10-0) faced the Shelby Whippets on Sept. 29, and while the Fighting Scots were surprised by a first-set loss, they were able to turn things around the next three sets to take a 3-1 win.
Shelby came out on top in set one, going into extras with a 26-24 win. Highland woke up and beat Shelby in the second set 25-19 to tie things up. Set three was all Highland with a 25-12 win, and the Fighting Scots wrapped it up with a 25-21 set four victory. Highland had a 62-37 kill advantage in the match to help fuel the win.
The Fighting Scots were led by sophomore Kameron Stover, who had 30 kills on the day. She also had three aces, two blocks and 16 digs. Setting the ball was Larsen Terrill with 45 assists in the win. Terrill had seven kills, 12 digs, one ace and a block. Zoya Winkelfoos had nine kills, three aces, 16 digs and six assists. Camryn Miller had 26 digs to lead the defense and added a pair of assists. Alexis Eusey also played well on defense with 14 digs and added four kills.
Highland is first place in the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference and looks to continue the winning ways at home on Oct. 6 against River Valley at 7 p.m.
New Philadelphia 3, Mount Vernon 1
The Mount Vernon Yellow Jackets (9-6, 6-6) faced New Philadelphia on Sept. 29, and it proved to be the tough matchup that was advertised as the Quakers were able to come away with a 3-1 win.
New Philadelphia took the first set 25-18, but Mount Vernon made things interesting with a close 26-24 set two win to even the match. New Philadelphia dominated the third set 25-10, but it was a close set four, with New Philadelphia sealing the win, 27-25.
Kaitlyn Thompson led the offensive attack for the Yellow Jackets with 11 kills and also had a block and five digs. Setter Tori Burdette had 30 assists in the game, as well as 16 digs and a block. Peyja McCord posted nine kills, two blocks and three digs.
Madi Rohler was the top defender with 26 digs, and she also added an ace. Katie King and Avery Lasater each had a pair of aces. King had seven digs, and Lasater had 12 digs.
The Yellow Jackets faced Newark on Monday, and next up was a home match against Madison Comprehensive on Oct. 4, at 6:45 p.m.
Danville 3, Northside Christian 0
Danville (5-9, 2-8) took on Northside Christian on Oct. 1, and it was all Blue Devils from the start of the non-conference matchup in front of the home crowd, with Danville cruising to a 3-0 win.
Danville dominated each set with scores of 25-10, 25-9 and 25-13.
Leading the offense was Kenzie Neitzelt with 10 kills and 16 assists. She also had one ace and a serve percentage of 100%. Neitzelt was a top defender as well, with five blocks and three digs.
Taryn Mickley posted seven kills, 12 assists, three digs, one block and five aces. Hope Moore had eight kills and two assists. Kenzie Holt recorded seven aces to go with one kill and two digs. Delaney Alvis had five kills, two assists and three digs.
Danville takes on Northmor at home on Oct. 4 at 6:30 p.m.
Fredericktown 3, Columbus Academy 0
The Freddies faced Columbus Academy on Oct. 1, and Fredericktown took the win in dominant fashion with a straight sweep to improve to 12-5 and 6-3 in the conference.
Fredericktown won all three sets by scores of 25-23, 25-20 and 25-18.
Jillian Bouton led the offense with eight kills and four aces, while serving at 90.9%. She also posted eight blocks and three digs.
Julia Partington did a good job setting the ball with 27 assists. She added four aces, one block and six digs. Grace Sipes had 15 digs, six kills and two blocks. Mya Bryant had three kills, seven blocks and a dig. Ella Bouton had three kills, three blocks and five digs.
Next up for the Freddies was a 5:30 p.m. road game against Mount Gilead on Oct. 4.
