BLUE DEVILS FLEX ON BACKYARD RIVAL
BERLIN CENTER OH- There are many rivalries in the world of high school sports, it is what generates the drama
and piques the interest of casual fans and sports-a-holics alike. As common as rivalries are, a little less common is the backyard rivalry. You know those types; the ones where distance between towns can literally be measured with a stones throw. That is the case in the battle of Western-Reserve Blue Devils versus Jackson-Milton Blue Jays! No matter the sport, it is guaranteed to be one on everyone in North Jackson’s and Berlin Center’s radar. In this instance it was showcased on the volleyball court between the Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference leading Blue Devils and a Blue Jays squad riding the momentum of a comeback victory down two sets to none against The Springfield Tigers.
With the stage set, both teams were amped up and scoring was swinging back-and-forth like a pendulum. However, it was Western-Reserve that broke away in the middle of the set and cruised to a 25-11 victory in the match opener. Following up in the second set, The Blue Jays grabbed and maintained a lead for a bit in the beginning stages of the set. But once again, The Blue Devils routed their way back in front of Jackson-Milton and rode the momentum shift to a 25-14 set two win. It was a score so nice they did it twice! With Western Reserve grabbing a commanding lead in set three, they did not relinquish it once the captured it and won the set, and the match, with a similar score of 25-14!
Angelina Cappabianca was Ms.Utility once again, recording 10 kills, 6 aces and 6 blocks! Haylee Fellows spread the wealth around to the tune of 22 assists while also having 9 digs and 3 kills of her own. Quincy Miller baked up a dozen double-double with 12 assist and 12 digs! While the Player of the Match Lisa Eichert had the double-double with 10 kills and 11 digs while fortifying the net with 3 blocks!
Western Reserve (16-1)(11-1) has now won nine straight matches against The Blue Jays and now set their sights on South Range (10-6) when they host The Raiders on Monday, October 2nd. Jackson Milton (3-13)(3-8) will also be in action on Monday where they will hit the road to battle Ursuline (11-4). Interviews with Head Coach Kristine Hughes and Player of the Match Lisa Eichert can be found below!
