LADY BULLDOGS OUTLAST HEARTLAND
EAST PALESTINE, OH- Just one night after suffering a loss to EOAC rival, Columbiana, East Palestine Head Coach Jess Franklin had her team focused, and ready to go against a strong Heartland Christian program. The Lady Bulldogs came out ready in the first set and set the tone in a 3-2 (25-15, 23-25,25-15, 21-25, 15-6) victory on Wednesday.
Freshman Ceci Foster led the way with 18 points, 10 digs, 8 assists, and 4 aces, while her sister Sophia had 17 digs, 12 points, 6 kills, and 5 aces as well. Other key contributors for EP were Mia Lee and her 17 dig, 13 point, 11 kill night, and Gia Brestelli’s 17 digs and 4 aces from the service position. Mackenzie Parker was also clutch with 10 assists, 9 points, and a pair of aces.
The two teams went back and forth in sets, and while it came down to the fifth set, neither team could truly take over the match. Heartland’s Emma Hall was all over the floor for the Lady Lions and kept the Bulldog defense uneasy in all five sets. Sophomores Bella Drokin and Elise Winterstellar also created problems for East Palestine, as Winterstellar was a force at the net all evening, and Drokin’s play from deep in her own zone, including her serves were key in keeping pace.
East Palestine (2-2) will now eye up Lisbon on Saturday Morning at 11 in the Devil Dome in an effort to create their first winning record of the season.
