HOBAN SHOWS RESILIENCE TO STAY UNDEFEATED
ALLIANCE OH- On a Thursday night showdown between two of the top volleyball teams in the region, The Archbishop Hoban Knights had, yet another, big test on the season in order to keep their undefeated year alive! Rattling off 17 consecutive wins to start the season, Hoban entered Thursday with the perfect 17-0 record and were coming off a win against previously 15-1 Hiland. Their opponent was no slouch in their own right, as The Knights hit the road towards Marlington to battle The Dukes. Marlington, in the midst of another successful season, entered their matchup with Hoban sporting a very good 18-2 record! All the pieces were there for intense battle and did these two teams ever deliver!
The first set saw The Dukes blast The Knights out of the gates, hitting Hoban with everything they got and beating them to the spots almost every time in the opening set. Swing errors did not help The Knights as Marlington rode their opening set lead to an emphatic 25-12 win, putting a ton of pressure on Hoban to claw back on the road. The Knights did just that, finding a nice response in the second set by battling themselves away from The Dukes with some key rallies. Hoban would take an important set two, knotting the match up 1-1 in sets.
Being on the road is never easy and Hoban Head Coach Jim Maloof knows that, but “The consecutive road matches at the end of the season are intentional, what are you playing deep in the tournament? On the road.” Maloof said. It did not get any easier when marlington re-took the set lead with a 25-19 set three victory, giving The Dukes at handing Hoban their first loss this season. This would be only the second time this entire season where The Knights would trail in a match 2-1. Fighting tooth and nail in set four, Hoban knew it was now or never to get it done and they got it done. A sweaty palm type battle ensued in set four and lasted all the way till the very end.
The Knights would squeak out a 25-23 set four win to set up an ever important set five for the match! After a bit of back-and-forth, Hoban went pedal to the metal in the deciding set and never looked back. Racing their way to the 15-8 set win and clinching the match on the road over The Dukes 3-2!
Amber Watson was grabbing scores anyway that she could, leading the team in both kills with 14 and aces with 5. Macie Mintz recorded 22 digs to lead her team defensively. Sophia Day had the quarter-piece on assist in the match with 25 in the win. While Bailey Prince remained a force at the fence, charting 3 blocks for The Knights on the night. Hoban (18-0) will look to keep their undefeated season alive when they stay on the road to do battle with The Chardon Hilltoppers (6-11) on Monday, October 9th. Keep up to date with Archbishop Hoban Knights stories, scores and more on YSN!
