SPARTANS SHOCK CANFIELD IN DRAMATIC COMEBACK

BOARDMAN OH- Aftr two sets on Thursday night against Canfield, Boardman looked dead in the water. That was simply not the case, as the Spartans clawed all the way back from down 2-0 to win in five sets (17-25 17-25 25-11 28-26 15-13).

The Spartans opened the match with a 4-1 lead, and watched the Cardinals rattle off 10 points in a row to take control of the set. Boardman made some runs to get within 3 or 4 but couldn’t make the next step.

The second set had the same story. Canfield kept the Spartans at bay. Every little spurt Boardman would have would be answered by a punch back from the Cardinals. They won sets one and two by the same score 25-17.

Boardman did not let the 2-0 deficit stop their aggressiveness. They jumped out of a cannon in set three to take a 15-3 lead. They took advantage of the Cardinals going on cruise control for a spell. By the time Canfield woke up it was much too late to stop Boardman’s momentum and the Spartans dominated set three 25-11.

Set four was the most competitive. Boardman has all the momentum, but Canfield was awake, and swung well. It was a battle of the middles, as Katie Stamp, and Maria Torres traded blows with Grace Rosko and Erin Chaplow. The Spartans held off three match points down the stretch at 24-23, 25-24, and 26-25. They’d go on to force a fifth and decisive set with a 28-26 victory in set four.

Boardman managed to grab a 14-10 lead in set five to have match point. Canfield fought back to make it 14-13, and just point away from pushing the set past 15. Enter Torres as the Spartan middle ended the match with a kill.

Torres notched a fantastic night with 23 kills and 8 blocks. Katie Stamp and Jenna Olexa both had 9 kills and 20 digs. Raegan Burkey collected 34 assists.

The Spartans will host South Range on Monday. Canfield will have to travel to regroup as they go all the way to Chagrin Falls to play Kenston on Monday.