October 17, 2024
Photos and stories by CHRIS BROOKS, managing editor, wellsvillesports.com
WELLSVILLE — It was a five-set decision the first time around near the beginning of the season for both Bolivar-Richburg and Wellsville.
When they met for the final time in the Lion’s Den on Wednesday, it was to no surprise that the two Allegany County heavyweights would wind up charting another crash course towards the very end of it all once again.
This time around, the Lady Lions garnered the early advantage and pushed Bolivar-Richburg to the brink. But the Lady Wolverines displayed a great deal of resiliency to stay alive, reversing the momentum in their favor to set up shop for a thrilling finish in the fifth and final set. After plenty of back-and-forth exchanges were made, crunch time had settled in.
In the end, despite Bolivar-Richburg’s late push to turn the tide, Wellsville would ultimately stand tall, as they tilted the momentum one last time to exact their revenge off a five-set loss to the Lady Wolverines nearly a month ago with a five-set win over their own on their home court, as they laid claim on a 25-16, 25-21, 21-25, 20-25, 15-10 victory in front of a packed Lion’s Den crowd.
“We went in with momentum and took the first two sets, but I told the girls that there is no way Bolivar-Richburg was going down easily in three. I told the girls they need all their momentum and energy,” said Lady Lions coach Shannon Steiner. “By set five, I think the girls knew they wanted this more, knowing they have not lost a game in the league yet. They went full force towards the end and kept going, and it turned out to be a great win for us as a team.”
The Lady Lions (9-4) saw a humongous night from Lindsay Stuck come into complete fruition, as she led the offense behind team-highs in kills with 15, and digs with 14, pairing them with a single ace from the service line. Natalie Adams pitched in with 10 more digs on defense along with nine kills and five aces.
In addition for the hosts, Makenna Dunbar chipped in nine digs, eight kills, six aces and four blocks at the net, while the team’s setter Lexi Irish handed out 40 assists paired with nine digs and four more aces.
Bolivar-Richburg (9-3) was powered by an electric performance from Carmen Crowley, as she stranded together 25 game-high kills to go with 18 digs, 14 blocks and five aces. Jayna Thomas pitched in 10 more digs on defense to go with eight kills and a pair of aces.
Also, Joey Danaher had eight digs, six kills and three aces, while Willow Worth (11 digs) handed out 32 helpers at the net.
The Lady Wolverines are right back on the road tonight with a 6 p.m. visit below the border at Oswayo Valley.
As for the Lady Lions, they now halt play until after the weekend, when they get set to host Arkport-Canaseraga in a 6:30 p.m. first serve on Monday.
Cuba-Rushford 3, Genesee Valley/Belfast 0
BELMONT — Right from the start, the Lady Rebels of Cuba-Rushford set the tone with a strong first set performance led by the offensive efforts of Lilah Stroud and Raegan Poore, as they took advantage of all the opportunities they were presented with to cement a straight-set win at Genesee Valley/Belfast on Wednesday by a 25-9, 25-15, 25-12 count on Wednesday.
Charging the efforts on the attack for the Lady Rebels (9-5) was Stroud, who navigated to the front of the pack behind her nine team-high kills. Poore was right behind, as she followed up with seven of her own, while Kendall Tompkins handed out a whopping 25 assists to set the offense up for great success, chipping in four aces and a pair of kills along the way.
Genesee Valley/Belfast (2-11) was led by Paizlee Tilton, who recorded five kills and three digs. Enasjah Koontz-Gibbs contributed four digs and three kills, while setter Emalee Carman had 11 assists to go with a pair of kills.
“I know the scores don’t really show it, but I think we played some of our better volleyball that we have this year,” GV/Belfast coach Darren Bradt said. “Although our hitters aren’t as powerful as Cuba-Rushford’s, I think we did a pretty good job attacking the ball and not just sitting back on our heels.”
Both teams are back on the floor Friday night in a pair of 7:30 p.m. battles, with Cuba-Rushford heading back home to host Andover/Whitesville, while Genesee Valley/Belfast stays put to welcome in a visit from Fillmore.
Fillmore 3, Andover/Whitesville 0
FILLMORE — Houghton Academy was chasing Fillmore down for top honors in the County, but the Lady Eagles were able to get the one big victory to stay one giant footstep ahead of the Lady Panthers to officially claim the Division II League Championship on their home court Wednesday night, as they rolled past Andover/Whitesville with a 25-12, 25-11, 25-13 victory.
Aiding the offensive efforts for the Lady Eagles (10-6) was Mya Keeler, who finished with three kills. Annalisa Bialek chipped in with three aces and two kills, while setter Eleanor Reitnour handed out 10 big assists to set up shop for the attack at the front of the net.
Statistics for Andover/Whitesville (0-13) were not made available to report upon publication.
Both teams are back in action Friday night in a pair of 7:30 p.m. contests, with the Lady Eagles heading over the road to Genesee Valley/Belfast, while Andover/Whitesville hops on the bus for a trip to Cuba-Rushford.
Houghton Academy 3, Hinsdale 0
HOUGHTON — The Houghton Academy Lady Panthers kept their winning ways intact on Wednesday, as they provided a strong inception to their game against visiting Hinsdale and never looked back to deliver a straight-set victory by a 25-9, 25-12, 25-15 count.
The Lady Panthers (9-5) saw Julia Winkens take the lead of the offense behind her nine team-high kills, pairing them with a denial at the net. Adding more help was Jaqi Dover, who had five more kills to add in along with four aces and four digs.
Statistics for Hinsdale (3-10) were not made available to report upon publication. The Lady Bobcats are back on the road Monday night for a 7:30 p.m. visit to Bolivar-Richburg.
Before the Lady Bobcats have their turn, Houghton Academy will head back home and host a 6:30 p.m. contest with the Lady Wolverines coming up on Friday.
