Dragons snap Clarion’s long win streak
CLARION — Clarion’s volleyball team had gone almost a year without losing a single set. That was last September when they came from behind to top Warren, 3-2, at Warren Area High School.
On Thursday, the Dragons not only stopped the defending PIAA 1A state champion Bobcats’ 62-set streak, they swept Clarion, 25-20, 25-18, 25-20, to also end its 48-match win streak. Class 2A Warren is 5-0 on the regular season with the win over the District 9 Bobcats.
“Absolutely, a confidence boost,” said Warren coach Mike Dolan. “Obviously, that’s a very tough place to go and win, but this win and the way we played last week should let them know they can play at a high level and sustain it for a whole match against a quality opponents.”
Kylie Fehlman had 12 kills, Maddy Jones eight kills, seven digs and four aces, Alexia Bowers seven kills, Kirsten Johnson five kills, two blocks and two aces, and Carly Beers three kills and three aces for Warren. Setter Lindsay Madigan had 27 assists and libero Summer Lucks 20 digs in the win.
“Kylie Fehlman had a great game,” said Dolan. “She had some really great hits and got tons of touches on the block, keeping them from being able to attack as effectively as they wanted. Summer played outstanding on defense. Lindsay ran the offense really well, put up lots of great sets for our hitters, and they all had nice attacking games, Alexia Bowers, Carly Beers, Maddy Jones, and Kirsten Johnson. Serving and serve-receive was also key. Carly and Kirsten both had some clutch serves. It was a very nice win for our confidence going forward as we head toward our tough region schedule next week.”
Interestingly, it was also at Clarion Area High School where Warren’s 2018 volleyball team ended defending state champion Knoch’s 48-match win streak to advance to the PIAA 3A state finals.
In a 2-0 junior varsity loss to Clarion earlier Thursday, Warren’s Maddie Nosel had five kills, Lilly Newton and Lily Walker four kills each, and Kayla Fultz two kills. Also for Warren, in the 25-20, 25-22 defeat, Delaney Wright had seven assists, Elissa Errett six assists and four aces, and Sophie Walker nine digs.