Sheffield volleyball went toe-to-toe with Bradford on Thursday, and, while they dropped a 3-0 decision (22-25, 14-25, 13-25), there were plenty of positives to build on.

“We were much better tonight,” said Sheffield coach Melissa Lemay. “The girls had a lot of energy and were excited to be able to compete with Bradford.”

Sheffield led 16-15 in the first half before the Owls called a timeout. Trailing 21-20, it was Sheffield turn to call a timeout. Bradford, however, was able to close out the set.

The second game saw the Owls go on a pair of long runs.

“We came out a little flat in the second,” noted Lemay.

The third set was more methodical, but Bradford was ultimately able to close it out.

“The third game, kind of back-and-forth,” noted Lemay. “There weren’t any really long runs, they just kept chipping away.”

Lemay point to her team’s unforced errors, which included 18 attack errors and nine missed serves.

“They’re (Bradford) good at earning their points, they don’t need help from us,” Lemay said. “But again, that’s something that we can control. We were in it tonight, and that’s what I want them to take from this.”

Leading Sheffield were Megan Johnson (11 assists), Lynzie Grubbs (4 kills, 4 blocks) and Marissa Grubbs (24 digs).

“Marissa played great in the back row,” noted Lemay.

The JV team lost a three-set thriller, 21-25, 25-18-14-16.

“There again, they’re coming into their own,” Lemay said. “The freshmen are playing with more confidence and realizing the pace of play is much different from junior high.”

Lexi Goldthwaite (7 assists, 4 aces), Anna McCracken (3 kills, 5 digs) and Maddy Roell paced the Lady Wolverines.

The JV squad is at the Kane Tournament on Saturday, while varsity returns to action Tuesday at St. Marys.

– - - 

MAPLEWOOD 3,

WARREN 0

MAPLEWOOD, Pa. – The start to Warren volleyball’s 2019 season didn’t get any easier Thursday.

The Dragons traveled to perennial District 10 powerhouse Maplewood. The Tigers swept the Dragons, 25-18, 25-22 and 25-13.

“Maplewood is a very physical team with several players who can attack well,” Warren coach Mike Dolan said. “Although we played good defense and slowed them down at times, we had a hard time putting the ball away on them.”

Jordan Sitler led the Warren attack with five kills and two blocks. Grace Wortman had four kills, two aces and four digs, while Olivia English had three kills and two blocks and Halee Mineweaser had two kills and three blocks.

Lex Nyquist had 12 assists, six digs, an ace and two kills and Katie Madigan had 16 digs and two assists.

“We’re confident that playing games like this will pay off down the road for us,” Dolan said.

Maplewood won the junior varsity contest 25-18 and 25-16.

Cara Munksgard had five kills, Gracie Gatto had two kills, Meredith Morrison had nine digs, Jayna Baldensperger had an ace and a kill and Lauren Dolan had 11 assists, two kills and two aces.

Lexi Hoffman, Kirsten Johnson and Carly Beers each had a kill.