GIRARD SPOILS TIGERS HOME OPENER

NEW MIDDLETOWN OH- Last year the Tigers and Indians opened up the season facing each other, and it was a dominating 3-0 Springfield sweep. Girard flopped the script Monday night opening the season with a 3-1 win over the Tigers (25-12 25-17 23-25 25-17).

Girard completely dominated sets one and two. Springfield opened each set with some promise, leading set one 6-2, and leading set two 4-1. Those were the only leads the Tigers would acquire in those sets however as the power of the Indians offense was too much for Springfield to handle.

Set three seemed to be going the same way as the Indians marched to a 17-12 lead. The Tigers found some momentum however and stormed to an 8-0 run to lead 20-17. The Tigers then were able to come away with clutch plays in the final points to steal set three 25-23.

The Indians regrouped in set four and made another big rally to take a big enough lead to cruise to the match clinching 25-17 win in the set.

Lauren Pallone led the Indians with a double-double. She racked up 21 kills and 14 digs. She also served up 4 aces. Bree Latell also had a strong double double with 14 kills and 10 digs. She gathered 3 aces. Ali Durkin led the Indians in assists with 22, Sophie Griffith added 20.

Jacey Mullens led the Tigers with 8 kills, Madison Lesnsak was a force at the block with 8 rejections from the net. Sara Pontius had 6 blocks.

Springfield plays Tuesday the 25th against Lowellville, Girard plays Jefferson on the 25th as well.