CLIPPERS SNAP WELLSVILLE WIN STREAK; TAKE FIRST PLACE IN EOAC

By Chris Sigler

COLUMBIANA OH- Life features everyday occurrences we all take for granted such as the sun coming up, fresh air to breath and electricity. Since 2017, winning games in the EOAC has also become one of those occurrences for Wellsville volleyball winning their previous 76 straight conference contests. The Columbiana Clippers knew all too well of the win streak as the Clippers had fallen 14 consecutive times during that span last defeating the Tigers in 2015. Tuesday night the undefeated Clippers were looking at possibly their best opportunity to finally defeat the Tigers in 8 years. Columbiana took full advantage of that opportunity sweeping Wellsville 25-21, 25-10, 25-10.

The contest started just as so many have previously as Wellsville would take an early 10-4 1st set lead. Columbiana would settle down reeling off 6 consecutive points to tie it at 10-10. The Tigers would maintain a 3 point advantage most of the first set before Columbiana would take the lead at 22-21 on their way to claiming the 1st set victory 25-21.

The momentum of that 1st set win carried over to set number 2 as the Clippers raced out to a 9-0 lead and never looked back winning 25-10. The 3rd set saw the Tigers come out proving they were not going to go away easy claiming an early 8-5 lead. Following a side out, Columbiana’s Kelsey Cameron stepped to the service line looking to help her teams chances of a 3 set sweep. Cameron did more than help as the Junior would go onto serving 14 straight points guiding the Clippers to a commanding 20-9 lead. Ava Heinrich would finish the night off with 4 straight of her own as the Clippers would take the 3rd set 25-10 setting off an an emotional celebration on the floor amongst her teammates.

Ellie Jackson lead the Clippers with a strong all around performance posting 8 kills, 9 assists, and 10 digs.  Cameron added 15 points, 7 aces, 3 kills, while Heinrich contributed 16 points, 6 aces, and 10 digs. Cameron Perkins set the table all night tallying 15 assists, teammate Maryn Hepler would add 12 digs and 4 kills to the stat sheet on the night.

Wellsville was led by Presley Stokes 7 kills, 5 assists and 1 block. Wellsville (7-3, 6-1) returns home Thursday looking to stop a two game losing streak as they host United.  Columbiana (9-0, 7-0) has little time to celebrate with a quick turnaround as they host Heartland Christian on Wednesday.