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Think Pink: Youngsville tops Eisenhower

Youngsville's Alyssa Molek slides to receive a serve during a match against Eisenhower at Youngsville High School, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017.

Youngsville’s volleyball team evened the season series with county rival Eisenhower, as the Eagles earned a 25-19, 12-25, 25-18 and 25-16 win over the Knights during the “Pink Out” Tuesday.

Eisenhower defeated Youngsville, 3-1, in the first meeting Sept. 7, at Eisenhower.

“I’m super excited for this win,” Youngsville coach Barb Lutton said. “We prepared hard (for this match).”

Youngsville came out composed and playing fundamentally sound, while Eisenhower was committing unforced errors early as the Eagles built an 8-2 lead to start the first set. Even when the Knights got into their offense, all the close bounces seemed to go the Eagles’ way as they got out in front 20-8.

“We hurt ourselves as much as they beat us,” Eisenhower coach Scott Olson said.

Youngsville student Mason Benjamin gets pink ribbons painted on his face prior to a "Pink Out" volleyball match between Youngsville and Eisenhower at Youngsville High School, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. All proceeds generated by the match were donated to the American Cancer Society.

The Knights were able to put a late 8-0 run together to pull within four at 20-16. The set was played closely with Youngsville getting its first set point at 24-18. Eisenhower was able to side out before, somewhat fittingly, a service error ended the set with the Eagles winning 25-19.

“We knew we’d have to weather the storm (with the crowd),” Olson said. “After we went down early, we just played.”

The Knights looked like a different team in the second set. The passing was sharper and the communication better, and the scoreboard reflected the change as it was the Knights getting out to an early 11-4 advantage. Youngsville just wasn’t able to get anything going in the set and a Cameran Edwards kill pulled the Knights even with a 25-12 win.

“We got more workmanlike and were in the zone in that set,” Olson said. “The more we can do that, the more dangerous we’ll be.”

The third set began with both teams trading points early. Youngsville was able to put a small run together to gain a 10-7 advantage. Eisenhower regained the lead at 13-12, but a service error tied it at 13. Amber Evans followed with an ace, and suddenly the Eagles were in control and up 18-13. By the time the Eagles’ 9-0 run ended, they were up 21-14 and looking to put the set away. Another unforced error by the Knights ended the set, 25-18, and put the Eagles up 2-1.

Eisenhower’s Kiara Weber attempts to put down a kill while Youngsville’s Kamryn Weissinger (2) gets her fingertips on the ball during their match at Youngsville High School, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. The Eagles avenged an early season loss with a 3-1 win over the Knights.

“We had better teamwork and communication (tonight),” Lutton said.

Eisenhower got the first three points of the fourth set, but Youngsville answered with four of its own, two coming on Evans aces. The Knights battled and eventually went in front 10-7. The Eagles rallied to take a 13-12 lead, and strong serving by Evans put them up 18-13, forcing an Eisenhower timeout. Youngsville scored four straight coming out of the break to take a 22-14 lead. The Eagles got their first match point at 24-15, but like the first set Eisenhower was able to side out. A service error, the Knights’ 17th of the match, sent the Youngsville faithful home happy with a 25-16 win.

“We’re working better together,” Lutton said. “We see continued improvement from the entire team.”

“In the third and fourth we just got tight,” Olson said. “We tried not to make mistakes and it hurt us.”

Evans led the Eagles strong serving attack with 24 service points, including six aces, with eight assists and three kills. Emma Marino had 18 service points and five kills, while Taylor Walters had eight service points, seven kills and two blocks in the win.

Eisenhower's Cameran Edwards (right) goes for a kill while Youngsville's Amber Evans (left) prepares to block during their match at Youngsville High School, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. Evans had 24 service points, including six aces, as the Eagles came out on top in the second meeting between the teams this season.

Edwards paced the Knights with seven kills, four aces and four digs. Kiara Weber had four aces, four digs, two kills and a block while Caroline Hishman had 13 assists, three aces and three digs in the loss.

Both teams are back in action Thursday. Youngsville travels to Cambridge Springs while Eisenhower hosts Maplewood.

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JV YOUNGSVILLE 2, EISENHOWER 1

Youngsville’s junior varsity team picked up a 25-15, 20-25, 15-10 win over Eisenhower.

Dakota Hensel had 16 service points with five aces to lead the Eagles. Kamryn Weissinger added 10 service points, while Jena Wilson had eight assists and eight service points and Andrea Sveda had five kills in the win.

“I’m really liking our depth with the JV team,” Youngsville coach Barb Lutton said.

Catrina Edwards had six aces and a kill for the Knights. Delaney Chase had four aces, three assists, two digs and two kills and Brittany Smith had three aces and two kills in the loss.

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