HOBAN BATTLES THROUGH BLUE DEVILS
PARMA HEIGHTS OH- The story of The Archbishop Hoban Knights volleyball team has been quite a fun one this season. Exceeding all expectations on the season, Hoban rolled into the playoffs with an undefeated record, winning both a sectional semi-final and final as the #4 seed in the Division 1, Region 2, Northeast 5 bracket. Arriving at the district semi-final Tuesday night a perfect 23-0 on the season. Opposing The Knights? A very good Brunswick Blue Devils squad who was 17-7 entering the match on Tuesday.
Both teams were amped up and ready to book their ticket to the District Championship and the opening set played out as such, with Hoban getting the edge 25-21 in the opening set. However, Brunswick would battle back, claiming the next two sets by the same score of 25-19 to go up 2-1 in sets on The Knights, just the third time this season the Knights had given up two sets to an opposing team. Hoban played inspired volleyball in set four, emphatically winning it by a large margin 25-14 to force a critical fifth set. Going down to the wire, The Knights did what they have done so many times this season, they found a way! Winning set five 15-12 and the match 3-2 in comeback fashion to make it to the District Championship!
Amber Watson led the way in kills for The Knights with 19 on the evening. Ava Norton did major work behind the service line, racking up 15 service points and 7 aces in the match! Macie Mintz cleaned up the floor defensively with 19 digs, while Summara Keith fortified the net with 4 blocks. The senior Sophia Day set herself and The Knights up with another match, to the tune of 28 assists to facilitate the offense in the victory!
Hoban (24-0) will now face #3 seeded Avon (23-1) in a premier matchup with The Eagles on Thursday, October 26th at Valley Forge High School, slated for a 7 p.m. start time. Stay up-to-date with all Archbishop Hoban athletics scores, stats, stories and more on YSN!
