FITCH TRIUMPHS IN BATTLE OF UNBEATENS

By Ty Bartell 

AUSTINTOWN OH- Saturday morning was set up for quite the battle on the volleyball court when The Apple Creek Waynedale Golden Bears put their perfect 6-0 record against Austintown-Fitch and their 5-0 clip. Both teams are looking to continue the momentum and keep it rolling in the campaign as volleyball season nears its midway point.

What is the old saying? The early bird gets the worm? The Falcons executed that by translating it to the volleyball court off an impressive 25-10 set one win. Afton Roby was an enforcer at the net and made life difficult for the swing attempts of Waynedale.
After experiencing an early set slump after making the tip up to Austintown, The Golden Bears looked much improved in the following set. Engaging in some early back-and-forth scoring runs with Fitch, while taking the lead a couple times later in the set. However, The Falcons were able to soar just a bit higher in the late set, claiming victory 25-20 and taking a two sets to none lead over Waynedale.

One rule about Apple Creek, you do not go up it without a paddle and The Golden Bears ensured they had one in set three to navigate the rough waters, trailing by two sets. Addessa Miller and Alyssa Geiser stepped up in big ways for the Bears in set three. Locking it down on defense while simultaneously pitching in effectively on offense, they helped Waynedale avoid a straight set sweep and fend off Fitch with a 25-18 set win.

However, Austintown would not lose focus. After set four started off an early battle, the swings by Jordan Smith (20 kills) and Morgan Roby (14 kills) started connecting with more regularity as Rylie Simons (44 assists) and Afton Roby were like poetry in motion to watch work in the set. Fitch would claim the 25-18 set four win and the overall match 3-1, thus continuing their undefeated season, while hanging the first loss on Waynedale this year.

Afton Roby earned Player of the Game nods with a 10 kill and 7 block performance. Her net defense and ability to keep The Golden Bears off balanced made a huge impact in The Falcon victory. Fitch (6-0) will now stay home and await All-American Conference (AAC) rival in The Boardman Spartans (4-3) on Tuesday, September 5th at a 7 p.m. start time.

A SATURDAY SWEEP KEEPS HOBAN PERFECT

AURORA OH- Hoban delivered a commanding performance as they emphatically defeated Aurora with a clean sweep of 3-0. The sets unfolded with scores of 25-8, 25-15, and a closely contested 25-23.

The stats and leaders for Hoban showcased their dominance. Kalie Watson led the way with an impressive 4 service aces and a remarkable 23 service points. Macie Mintz displayed strong defensive skills with 16 digs, while Sophia Day orchestrated the offense effectively with 29 assists. Amber Watson was a force at the net, tallying 14 kills, and Ava Norfolk and Bailey Prince contributed with 2 blocks each, showcasing their prowess in both attack and defense.

With this resounding victory, Hoban’s varsity record now stands at an impressive 6-0. Their performance in this match underscored their strength and teamwork on the court, setting a high standard for the rest of the season.

CARDINALS SHOW OFF THEIR SKILL

MCDONALD OH- Canfield displayed a strong performance on the road, sweeping McDonald in three sets with scores of 25-18, 25-16, and 25-21. The Canfield team showed excellent teamwork and skill throughout the match.

Ashtyn Hanousek and Lauren Miasek both contributed with 5 kills each, while Meredith Ross and Lily Weaver added 6 kills each. Jenna Triveri also pitched in with 4 kills. Carly Fleming orchestrated the offense effectively with 15 assists, ensuring precise plays. Defensively, Alexis Lefoer and Katelyn Bacha stood out with 12 digs each, demonstrating their prowess in the backcourt. Carly Fleming and Isabella Bucciarelli both delivered powerful serves, each contributing 2 aces to the team’s success.

On the McDonald side, Gianna Constantino led the way with 6 kills and an impressive 19 digs, showcasing her all-around skills. Megan Klockner provided 16 assists and 3 digs to support the team’s offense. Grace Bundy contributed with 4 kills and 1 block, while Miley Titus displayed strong defensive play with 16 digs.

With this convincing victory, Canfield is set to open AAC play on Tuesday with a matchup at Warren Harding. Meanwhile, McDonald will continue to defend their home turf as they host Sebring on Tuesday. This game demonstrated Canfield’s prowess and teamwork, securing a well-deserved win on the road.

CAMPBELL GETS A BIG WIN FOR THEIR PROGRAM

CAMPBELL OH- Campbell celebrated a historic victory as they swept Garfield in a thrilling match, marking their program’s first win over the G-Men as members of the MVAC conference, with sets ending at 25-16, 25-20, and 25-19.

The Campbell team showcased their collective talent and determination on the court. Freshmen Da’Janelle Will and Carla Ramirez Ortiz contributed with 2 aces each, setting the tone for their team. Kendall Bruno was a standout performer with an impressive 16 kills, while MiLeena Williams added 10 kills, Elysia Rudolphi contributed 6, and Angeliz Diaz recorded 5.

Defensively, Kendall Bruno, MiLeena Williams, and Angeliz Diaz all made their presence felt with 4 blocks each, highlighting their formidable net presence. Carla Ramirez Ortiz orchestrated the offense brilliantly, tallying 36 assists. In the backcourt, Angeliz Diaz led the team with 11 digs, supported by Cyra Cross with 10, Carla Ramirez Ortiz and Gabriela Villanueva Santos with 8 each.

Buoyed by this historic win, Campbell looks ahead with momentum to their next match at home against Champion on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Garfield will regroup as they return home to host Liberty, ready to bounce back from this encounter. This match exemplified Campbell’s determination and skill as they celebrated a significant milestone in their conference play.

FALCONS KEEP FLYING ALONG

AUSTINTOWN OH- Fitch continued their impressive unbeaten streak with a commanding sweep over conference rival Warren Harding in three emphatic sets, securing victories with scores of 25-12, 25-13, and 25-12.

The Fitch team demonstrated exceptional teamwork and skill on the court. Rylie Simons orchestrated the offense brilliantly, accumulating 19 assists, while also contributing 3 digs and 2 aces. Senior Jordan Smith made her presence felt with 5 kills and 9 digs, displaying her experience and leadership. Fellow senior Afton Roby delivered a standout performance, recording 6 kills with an impressive .462 hitting percentage, along with 2 crucial blocks.

Defensively, Izzy DiRenzo played a pivotal role with 12 digs and 2 aces, helping to maintain Fitch’s dominance. With this victory, Fitch remains unbeaten at 6-0 and now looks forward to a Saturday morning showdown against Waynedale at 11:30. This win not only highlights their unbeaten status but also underscores their determination and skill as they aim for continued success in the season ahead.

BEAVERS SWEEP ASIDE ST CLAIRSVILLE

EAST LIVERPOOL OH- In a dominant display of volleyball prowess, Beaver Local swept aside St. Clairsville in a convincing three-set victory, with scores of 25-18, 25-12, and 25-17.

Beaver Local’s performance was nothing short of outstanding, led by some stellar individual contributions. Jocelyn Pomeroy led the offensive charge with an impressive 10 kills, while Jacqueline Campbell showcased her all-around skills with 9 kills and 13 digs. Aleia Evanko added to the offensive firepower with 9 kills, 8 digs, and 2 aces, keeping the pressure on St. Clairsville.

Addison Ketchum orchestrated the team’s offense effectively, accumulating 15 assists and contributing 2 blocks to the defensive effort. Beaver Local’s comprehensive victory now allows them to shift their focus to a highly anticipated matchup against their biggest rival, East Liverpool, on the road next Tuesday. This victory serves as a testament to Beaver Local’s skill and determination as they prepare for the challenges that lie ahead in the season.

RIDGE ON A ROLL

MINERAL RIDGE OH- Mineral Ridge delivered a commanding performance in conference play, sweeping Sebring in three decisive sets with scores of 25-13, 25-11, and 25-3.

The Mineral Ridge team exhibited remarkable skill and teamwork on the court. Faith Schneider emerged as the star of the match, securing a double-double with an impressive 17 kills and 12 digs, along with a crucial block. Ava Hulett made significant contributions with 6 kills, 2 aces, and a solid 17 digs. Gianna Wilson and Anastasia Busse each added 5 kills to the offensive firepower. Samantha Aulet orchestrated the offense brilliantly, accumulating 33 assists while also recording 8 digs and 2 aces.

With this dominant win, Mineral Ridge remains focused on conference play, looking ahead to their Tuesday matchup against Lowellville. This victory not only showcased their strength in the conference but also emphasized their commitment to excellence on the volleyball court.

PRICE BREAKS RECORDS IN ANOTHER LAKEVIEW SWEEP

NILES OH- In a dominant display of volleyball prowess, Lakeview achieved a resounding victory, sweeping Niles in three consecutive sets with scores of 25-6, 25-14, and 25-4.

Reagan Price emerged as the standout player of the match, not only contributing significantly to the win but also setting two school records. Price showcased her exceptional service skills, accumulating an astonishing 28 service points in the game, breaking the school record for most points served in a game. Furthermore, she demonstrated remarkable consistency, serving an impressive 19 points in a row, marking another school record.

Reagan Price’s impact extended beyond her service game, as she also delivered 9 aces, keeping the pressure on Niles throughout the match. Molly Stuart displayed her offensive prowess with 11 kills, while Mallory Mailach orchestrated the offense seamlessly, recording 29 assists. Ali Parise contributed defensively with 2 blocks, and Addy Allen showcased her defensive skills with 9 digs.

With this emphatic win, Lakeview sets its sights on a home match against South Range, poised to maintain their winning momentum on Tuesday. On the other side, Niles will look to regroup and prepare for their upcoming match against Chaney on Wednesday. This match was a testament to Lakeview’s skill and determination, as they asserted their dominance on the volleyball court.

REBELS AS DOMINANT AS EVER

BROOKFIELD OH- In a commanding performance, Crestview left no room for doubt as they dominated Brookfield in a straight-set victory (25-8, 25-14, 25-10). Crestview’s Grace Auer delivered a standout performance with a double-double, notching 13 kills, 11 assists, 6 digs, and 3 aces. Abbey Emch complemented the attack with 10 kills, 8 digs, 3 blocks, and 2 aces. Lainey Auer orchestrated the offense brilliantly, tallying 17 assists, 4 kills, and 9 digs, while Julia Blasko contributed 6 digs and 2 aces to the winning effort.

On the Brookfield side, Alexia Baker recorded 7 digs, Rylie Burdge dished out 11 assists, and Cailey Wellman was a formidable presence at the net with 6 blocks and 6 kills. Allison Ruschak added 3 blocks, and Ariana Jones contributed 2 kills.

Crestview’s victory keeps their momentum alive, setting the stage for an exciting home match against Newton Falls on Tuesday. Brookfield, while facing a tough loss, will regroup and prepare for their upcoming trip to LaBrae. This match highlighted Crestview’s dominance and showcased the talent and determination of both teams in this thrilling volleyball encounter.

CLIPPERS COMPLETE THE WEEK STILL UNDEFEATED

COLUMBIANA OH- In a dominant performance, Columbiana continued their undefeated streak by sweeping East Palestine in three decisive sets (25-11, 25-16, 25-18).

The Columbiana team exhibited a well-rounded display of skill and teamwork. Cameron Perkins led the charge with an impressive stat line, contributing 9 kills, 14 assists, 5 digs, and 3 aces. Ellie Jackson mirrored Perkins’ excellence, tallying 8 kills, 14 assists, 6 digs, and 4 aces. Kelsey Cameron added 6 kills and 3 aces to the mix, while Landry Smith chipped in with 7 kills. Defensively, Ava Heinrich stood out with an impressive 20 digs.

With this commanding win, Columbiana maintains their undefeated record and looks forward to their next challenge, a home match against Southern on Tuesday. East Palestine, while facing a tough loss, will regroup and prepare for their upcoming match at home against Lisbon. This victory underscores Columbiana’s dominance in the league and sets the stage for an exciting continuation of their successful season.