Tag Archive for: Kenzie Szolek

POLAND TAKES BIG STEP AGAINST UNITED

/in /by

POLAND OH- If you looked at the records coming in to Monday night in the match between United and Poland, you’d think it might be a mismatch. Then, if you also knew Poland was down two starters, you might not give the Bulldogs a shot. Well, Poland took a huge step in the growth of their program with a gritty five set victory (25-15 23-25 25-16 18-25 15-13). 

United took some time to find a rhythm. The first set was full of out of system points, and attack errors. Poland took advantage of the unsteady Eagles and dominated set 1.

The Eagles regrouped however, it was a much cleaner set two, but the Bulldogs has momentum. Kenzie Szolek had a great set swinging from the left side, and the back row. Sarah Forsyth also took some points from the right. United was up to the test as they started to get their big hitter Tori Tschappatt involved in the offense. They scrapped to a two point victory in set two.

The story of the third set was front row adjustments by Poland. Their blocks started to consistently get their hands on the Eagles swings. They either blocked the ball, or got enough of it to make life easier on their back row. When United tried to adjust to the big blocking, more attack errors followed. Poland would take another lopsided set 25-16.

United finally rolled on all cylinders in the fourth set when they needed it to keep the match alive. The started to get consistent contributions from multiple spots on the floor, making it much harder for the Bulldogs block to anticipate the United offense. United won their best played set of the night 25-18.

By the fifth set both teams had adjusted multiple times in the match. Both teams looked sharp, and it made for a thrilling finale. Down 11-8, Poland rattled off four in a row to take a 12-11 lead. Both teams traded points back and forth, until Poland finally made the push to clinch the match 15-13.

Lexi Kalicatzaros was a problem for the Eagles totaling 17 kills on the night. Maddie Wess led the way setting up 9 assists. Alyssa Glaros patrolled the back row leading the Bulldogs with 26 digs. Katie McDonald was big stepping up with 5 blocks. Sophia Dedo served 4 aces.

United was led by Tschappatt who finished with a double double with 11 kills, 12 digs, and 2 blocks. Taylor Cope was also strong in the middle, collecting 10 kills. Haley Dees also grabbed a double double with 33 assists, and 12 digs. Madison Boyle led the defense with 23 digs.

Poland will try to use this momentum and carry it to Girard on Tuesday. United will get back to league play on Tuesday as they host Leetonia.

SPARTANS START THE WEEK OFF RIGHT

/in /by

POLAND OH-

Boardman traveled to Poland Monday night to defeat the Bulldogs in 3 sets. The Spartans were lead by Maria Torres with 10 kills, 11 digs, 3 blocks and 3 aces. Katie Stamp has 11 kills on the night to accompany her 9 digs. Setter Raegan Burkey contributed 25 assists while adding 4 digs and 2 aces. Outside hitters Kathryn O’Horo and Jenna Olexa each had 5 kills, and Gia Ditullio and Lanny Kilpatrick both added 7 digs a piece. Kamryn Duritza rounded out the night with 7 assists. The Spartans are now 6-6 on the season.Sarah Forsyth led the Bulldogs in kills with 3. Addy Gentile grabbed 3 blocks. Kenzie Szolek had 7 digs to lead the Bulldog defense.

The Spartans will hit the road again on Thursday to take on the Mooney Cardinals.

*Contributed by Alyssa Birch at boardmanathletics.org

NOTHING GETS PAST SZOLEK

/in /by

As we got to know the seniors on the Poland volleyball team it was easy to learn how important stability in the program was the last couple of seasons. There is no better example of that than seeing growth of the underclassmen under the same coaching staff. Kenzie Szolek is one of those underclassmen, as a sophomore, she has stepped into the libero position. A position that requires communication and leadership. Kenzie loves being trusted to be the leader of the back row. She says nothing feels better than getting a big time dig for her team. She would know, Kenzie played all 72 sets this season and led her team in digs with 284.  With two more seasons left in her time as a Bulldog it is clear that she will be an important piece to the program’s future success. Good luck getting anything by Szolek for the next two seasons. 

Anthony Hartwig headed down to Poland to talk to the sophomore libero. They chat about the senior leadership, having a sister on a different team, and much more. Enjoy the last Poland Volleyball Player Profile of the season Nothing Gets Past Szolek.

*photo credit to Seminary Sports+

BIG TEST NEXT FOR POLAND

/in /by

In their first tournament game, Poland took care of business beating Alliance in four sets. (25-18 25-8 24-26 25-11)

Right out of the gates Poland did a tremendous job getting swings over the net. In the first set, they had 52 total attacks. With that high number they also hit pretty efficiently, the Bulldogs hit .135 in the set. The first and second sets were completely controlled by Poland. In the second set, the Bulldogs hitting percentage jumped way up. Poland totaled 15 kills in the set and had just 2 errors. Their hitting percentage was .361.

In the third set, Alliance showed some fight. They jumped out to an early 9-2 lead and maintained it until it reached 20-11. Then Poland came all the way back with a 9-0 rally to tie the set up at 20-20. The Bulldogs, however, just didn’t have enough momentum to push all the way to 25. They dropped a close set 3 24-26.

In set 4 it was back to business for the Bulldogs. They made quick work of the Aviators in a statement 25-11 set 4 wins. The Bulldogs only had 1 error in the set and hit at a .255 clip. Lauren Melillo has 6 kills in the set.

Lauren Melillo had a monster match with 18 kills, 4 digs, and 2 aces. Morgan Kluchar also got into double digits with 10 kills and a block. Maddie Wess tallied 33 assists, 3 kills, and 3 digs. Kenzie Szolek finished with 21 digs and a kill.

Poland advances to the sectional final on Saturday against Canfield. That match will be at 5:00 at West Branch High School.