SPRINGFIELD BATTLES TO BEAT CATS

NEW MIDDLETOWN OH- Springfield has had an up and down 2020 season, after starting the season at 2-1, the Tigers lost 3 in a row. Then, the Tigers got back in the win column setting up the opportunity to getting back to .500 on Monday against Struthers. The Tigers took advantage of that opportunity and took away a four set victory (25-21 21-25 26-24 25-22).

Min set 1 the Tigers stretched a lead to five early. The Wildcats fought hard to keep them within striking distance, but never seemed to be able to take that next step to take a lead. In fact, the for a large portion of the set, the Tigers lead never went over four, and it never went under three. Four would be the final point differential as the Tigers took set 1 25-21.

Struthers responded well in set two. They jumped out to a quick 5-1 lead. The Tigers made it close and set two was just as competitive as set one. The power of Wildcat senior Jessica Hughes who had her best set in set two. The Wildcats would be the one to take a set by four points this time 25-21.

The Wildcats looked like they had control of the third set. They led late 23-19. But the Tigers would not stop. Some good serving by Jacey Mullen got the Tigers to come back and tie it at 24-24. Then Springfield won the final two points to escape with the set 26-24.

The final set was much like the first. The Tigers saw a lead almost the whole way, but the Wildcats were persistent and refused to let them run away with it. The Tigers got the clutch points down the stretch to win 25-22.

The Tigers were led by a double double for Jacey Mullen. She finished with 11 kills, and 20 digs. Sara Pontius led the team in kills with 13. Madison Lesnak was also in double figure kills with 10. Carlee Bacon had a great defensive night with 32 digs and 5 kills. Mackenzie Kliem also put together a double double with 28 assists, and 14 digs.

Struthers was led by Hughes with a match high 14 kills, and 3 blocks. Kaylei Shaffer had 9 kills, and 3 blocks. Le’Ayshia Connaldi led the team in assists with 19.

Springfield will take momentum back into conference play as they travel to Western Reserve on Tuesday. Struthers hits the road to face Girard on Tuesday.