Despite winning the first set, the No. 17 Utica Redskins (10-13, 5-10) took a 3-1 loss to No. 7 Bishop Ready (14-9, 8-5) in the opening round of the Division III Sectional/District tournament on Oct. 17.
The Redskins won the first set 25-17. Bishop Ready was up 5-2, but Alexa Gosnell blocked a shot that landed for a point to pull within two. The Redskins rallied to take a 6-5 lead on a block by Makena Wilson that landed for a point. They later took a 12-8 lead on a another block that landed for a point by Lauren Schmitt. Schmitt had a block/kill to make it a 15-9 lead for the Redskins. Leigha Burnett recorded the game winning point on a hard slam for a kill to put Utica up 1-0.
The Silver Knights went on to win set two 25-20. The third set was close, with Gosnell bringing Utica within two on a kill to make it 15-13. Schmitt made it 19-15 on a kill, but the Silver Knights went on to win 25-21.
The Redskins led 5-4 in set four on a Gosnell kill, but Bishop Ready pushed forward to win 25-16 and take the match.
Senior Hannah Shaver led the Redskins with nine kills and one dig on what was her 18th birthday. Emilee Ellis tallied 11 digs, 10 assists, two aces and three kills. Gosnell had 11 digs, seven assists, five kills and a block. Emma Kimpel recored eight digs and a pair of assists. Callie Baker led the serving with three aces to go with her six digs.
