OLEAN, NY – After nearly two weeks of untouched play, the Olean volleyball team’s win streak came to an end, losing their momentum in a four-set defeat to Fredonia.
Coming in separated by just one game in the Chautauqua Cattaraugus Athletic Association Division I standings, the first Huskies-Hillbillies showdown started off with a swift feeling-out process, seeing both teams quickly exchange kills in the opening rallies. Although the Huskies were able to crack open the first run of the day, stringing together a 7-1 stretch, a dry spell thereafter saw Fredonia counter with a 10-2 barrage of their own. While Olean clawed within reach, they ultimately fell early 25-22.
The Hillbillies’ momentum flawlessly carried over into the next set, where they used their powerhouse hitter Londyn Wilmot to send thunderous slams back down to the court, sparking a 6-1 run that bled out to a 11-2 streak and 25-13 set two victory.
“We added more blockers, doubling and tripling (Wilmot) and I actually thought that when we started challenging her more on the block, things got better for us,” said Olean head coach Michelle Acierno. “But Fredonia has some other hitters too. It wasn’t just her as great as she is. I just think we’d lose our momentum a little bit and it would take too long for us to get it back up.”
Feeling their back against the wall, Olean responded defiantly. After both squads traded short runs back-and-forth, seeing the set knotted at 9-9, the Huskies salvaged possessions, poured on points from the service line and sent their own vicious slams over the net, the latter being led by Alyx Henzel.
“She’s been on varsity since eighth grade. We’ve known she was going to be good,” said Acierno, whose team pulled out a 25-15 win in the third set of the evening. “It’s very exciting to see how consistent she’s becoming. I’m thankful to have two more years with her.”
Despite staving off a sweep, Olean’s efforts failed to prevent another set from falling. Continuing to duke it out through the fourth, the Huskies ultimately found themselves chasing Fredonia from across the scoreboard. Although they found a late rally, they were unable to change the tide, suffering a third and final defeat at 25-20.
Hayley Bednarski had 15 kills and 14 digs in the loss, while Henzel had 13 kills and five digs. Ari Finch had 31 assists and ten digs.
“We had some big shoes to fill from our seniors last year and I think we’re slowly putting it together,” said Acierno. “I really think if we just iron out a couple more things, we’re going to be right there.”
Salamanca 3, West Valley/Franklinville 0
SALAMANCA, NY – Bringing themselves back above 0.500, the Warriors were able to tack on a third consecutive win as they took down West Valley/Franklinville in three clean sets.
Salamanca started off the night strong, coming away with a first set victory at 25-14, before steamrolling through the next two. In the second, they took home a 25-12 win, then closing out the night with the largest margin of victory at 25-11.
Charli Rae Hill had seven kills in the win while Jowella Jimerson ended with 12 assists.
Defending their home court, the Warriors now improve to 4-3 overall and will next travel to play Sherman on Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
Portville 3, Jamestown 0
JAMESTOWN, NY – The Panthers added a fifth win to their season with a clean sweep over the Red & Green.
Up next, they will see Falconer at home at 6:30 p.m.
Girl’s Soccer
St. Marys 2, Port United 1
PORT ALLEGANY, PA – Kylee Pelchy scored the Lady Gators’ lone goal of the afternoon as Port fell to 3-5.
Alayna Palmer had the assist while Dana Clark came away with 11 saves while in net.
Portville 3, Jamestown 1
JAMESTOWN, NY – Taking charge with two goals in the second half, the Panthers strung together their third win in a row as they breezed past the Red & Green.
Grace Gariepy broke the ice for Portville, connecting on a penalty kick for her ninth score of the season, and although Jamestown eventually countered with an equalizer before the intermission, they would have no answer for the Maroon and White in the next 40 minutes.
Early in the second half, Gariepy once again put her fingerprints on the game, coming away with an assist to Anna Faulkner before Airiana Whittaker gave Portville a 3-1 cushion ten minutes later, all but sealing the game in the 60th minute.
Along with the Panthers’ scoring, Kaylin Elliott anchored the defense, coming away with two saves throughout the win.
Improving to 3-2 in CCAA Division I play, Portville now sits third in the standings behind Allegany-Limestone and Falconer/CV/MG. They will immediately challenge the throne on Thursday, seeing A-L on the road for a 4:30 p.m. showdown.
Southwestern 4, Olean 0
JAMESTOWN, NY – Allowing two in each half, the Huskies were unable to overcome an overwhelming deficit.
With the loss, Olean falls to 2-5 overall and will next host Fredonia on Thursday at 4:30 p.m.
Randolph 2, Salamanca 0
SALAMANCA, NY – Following four undefeated contests, the Warriors’ win streak finally came to an end at the hands of a shutout loss to Randolph.
Salamanca will look to get back into the win column when they face Ellicottville on Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
Girl’s Tennis
Salamanca 5, Dunkirk 0
SALAMANCA, NY – A heavy-handed rout over the Marauders carried Salamanca to a third league win on the season.
Betsy Leyva (6-4, 6-4) and Kurryn Glowacki (6-0, 6-0) took care of business in the first and second doubles, respectively, before Sage Hugg and Keira Bova (6-1, 6-0) took a win in the first doubles. Ella Crouse and Brenda Bova-Redeye (6-0, 6-0) won the second doubles while Morgan Palmer (6-0, 6-0) finished out the day with a win in the third doubles.
With the win, Salamanca now sits at 5-1 overall and 3-1 in league play.
Cross Country
Olean versus Maple Grove, Gowanda, Dunkirk/Silver Creek
Taking to a quad-meet, the Huskies’ boy’s cross country team stepped onto the end-of-day podium with bronze, being led by Declan Boutillette.
Boutillette crossed the 2.8-mile finish line with a time of 17:42 for fourth place, followed by Cruz Clark in 7th at 18:26 and Daks Perry in ninth at 18:40. Seamus Burnett closed out the day with a 16th place finish at 20:01.
While the girl’s team finished incomplete, they were individually led by May Eaton in third at 20:20 while Kinley Belleisle finished fifth at 20:33 and Sam McCaul ended in 25th at 28:40.
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