Eisenhower sweeps

Youngsville’s Rachael Lucks (24) and Jayda Myers attempt to block a return from Eisenhower’s Lainey Font during Tuesday’s volleyball match at Youngsville High School. Times Observer Photo by Steve Younger
YOUNGSVILLE — Eisenhower completed a season sweep of county rival Youngsville with a 3-0 victory over the Eagles during a Pink Out event held Tuesday at Youngsville High School.
Things got closer in each consecutive set, but it was the Knights walking away with a 25-14, 25-19, 25-22 victory.
Eisenhower broke open a close first set when Paisley Lawson ripped off eight straight service points. A Lainey Font kill closed out the set and gave the Knights a 1-0 lead.
Youngsville inched its way closer during the second set, but the combination of great serving and a stout defense by the Knights proved too much to overcome.
The closest set of the night was the third where the teams went point-for-point from a 13-13 tie all the way up to a 20-20 deadlock. Ultimately, the Knights were able to break the tie and score five of the last seven points of the night to close out the match.
Caroline Smyth had five kills, three aces and two blocks for the Knights. Marissa Gourley added three kills and three aces. Font had three kills and Lawson served up a team-high six aces.
Kamden Swearingen and Avery Dalrymple led the Eagles with two aces each while Madilynn Johnson had 14 assists, Rachael Lucks six kills and Alyssa Gentz five digs.
Youngsville rallied for a 2-1 victory in the junior varsity game, 15-25, 25-16, 15-8. Sophia Depasquale led the winners with seven aces, Grace First had three kills and Maci Benton finished with four assists.
The Eagles return to action Thursday when they travel to Conneaut.
MEADVILLE HANDS DRAGONS FIRST LOSS
Meadville returned the favor, handing Warren its first loss of the season in a four-set slugfest, 25-23, 25-21, 25-27, 28-26.
Warren swept the Bulldogs a month ago to hand them their only Region 5 loss. Now they are tied atop the region standings at 9-1 apiece.
“It was a great match between two evenly matched teams,” said Warren coach Mike Dolan, whose Dragons are 12-1 overall. “I like the fact that we were able to come back late in the first set and the final two. We showed a lot of fight, which is something we will need to continue to do as playoffs approach. I think we learned a few things about ourselves and some different things we are capable of doing to take advantage of opportunities out there. Meadville has such a great player in Emma Parks, but they are a complete team with a terrific libero and setter as well, so we’ll have to be ready for everything they have if we, hopefully, get another chance to play them.”
Madelyn Nosel led Warren with 19 kills and Maddy Jones and Attie Corey added 16 and 10, respectively, in the loss. Setter Lindsay Madigan finished with 44 assists, 5 kills, and 6 digs.
Libero Malysia Sorensen had 31 digs and 5 aces, Jones added 15 digs, and Nosel 10 digs. Julia Getner had 5 kills and 4 blocks, Sophie Walker 5 digs, Lily Walker 3 digs and 2 assists, Lauren Fajbik 2 kills and 2 blocks, and Corey also had 2 blocks.
Warren won the junior varsity match, 2-0. Paiden Johnson had 6 aces and 18 digs, Brooke Sherry 10 kills and 5 digs, Brynn Norris 12 assists, Lara Pearson 4 kills, Grace Schwab 2 kills and a block, Michaela Dolan 5 assists, Peyton Cabisca 2 kills and 2 digs, and Adelaide Keeports 2 kills.
SHEFFIELD DOWNS RIDGWAY
SHEFFIELD — Sheffield’s volleyball team swept Ridgway, 26-24, 25-18, 25-21 at Sheffield High School.
“I am pleased with the way the team passed and played defense tonight,” said Sheffield coach Melissa Lemay. “We minimized our dig errors and only had seven serve-receive errors in the match. Excellent passing made running our offense and getting swings on the ball much better as well.”
Emily Davidson led the way with 27 digs, followed by Emma Roell with 14, Madison Snell 11, Madison Connolly 8, and Kelsi Silves 7.
“Freshman Lily Richards (21 assists) is settling in at setter,” said Lemay. “We had a more aggressive night serving, seeing 12 aces. We had a few too many serving errors, and we still need to work on minimizing those mistakes at the service line.”
In addition to her 14 digs, Roell had 10 kills and 4 aces, Snell added 7 kills, and Cameron Sundburg 3 kills.
Sheffield’s JV lost 15-25, 25-18, 13-15. Peyton Heeter had 9 assists and 9 digs, Madison Snell 5 kills and 8 digs, and Abby Roell 9 digs.
Sheffield plays at home on Thursday against Kane.