High School Sports

Central Volleyball Advances

Maroon Knights sweep Hornets in sectional match

WHEELING -- The Maroon Knights began the W.Va. state playoffs about as well as they could have hoped Monday evening, with a sweep of visiting Hundred in a sectional match. Wheeling Central (18-8) defeated the visiting Hornets (3-14) in straight sets; 25-9, 25-7, 25-14.

Despite the lopsided scores, the first two sets of the night began in inauspicious fashion. Central held a slim 5-4 lead early in set one and was tied 4-4 in set two before finding their groove.

"I think it took them a little while to kind of get going but overall, I think they played very well," said Central coach Delaney Denniston. "They need to realize that now it's win or go home."

Quality serving from Ashlyn Knight and Meredith Romanek pushed the Knights' lead to 19-6 in the first set and Central was able to close out a 25-9 victory. Central closed the match with two kills from Nicole Reasbeck and a serving ace by Gabby Leadbitter.

In the second set, Olivia Kahle's serving helped Central go on a seven-point run after it was tied 4-4 and the Knights eventually won 25-7, closing on a kill by Kamy Conners.

"I think they played very well," Denniston said. "We had some good things and some bad things, but they were all things I think we can work on for (Tuesday). I think we're where we need to be.

The third set was the closest of the night. After leading by as much as 9-3, Denniston had to call a timeout when Hundred was able to put together a run that made the score 11-8.

"(Set three) was just a little sloppy," Denniston said. "I think we just lost focus a little bit. Again, hopefully tomorrow we'll be back in it and keep it together for the whole game."

The Knights eventually found their footing again and closed the set out with another kill from Conners for a 25-14 victory.

Conners led the team with 19 kills on the night, followed by Reasbeck who had 13. Conners and Reasbeck also led the team in digs with nine apiece. Libby Doyle (15), Aspyn Bowman (11) and Alexis Hood (seven) all racked up a number of assists in the match. Kahle finished with five aces to lead the team and Doyle had four.

Central advances to play either Madonna or Valley later tonight at Paden City.

"We came off a really good season," Denniston said. "I think we'll be okay (in the playoffs) as long as the girls stick with it and play consistent."

Madonna def. Valley (25-22, 25-15, 25-12)

WEIRTON -- The Madonna volleyball team struggled early on against Valley, however, the Blue Dons eventually found their footing and took control of the match.

The Blue Dons won a tightly-contested Game 1, and No. 4 seed Madonna won the next two games going away en route to sweeping Valley, 25-22, 25-15, 25-12, in a West Virginia Region 1 Section 1 match up Monday night on Joanna Bernabei-McNamee Court inside Bill Barrett Gymnasium.

For Madonna, Bella DiPietrantonio tallied 10 kills, Brianna Glosser recorded seven kills and Morgan Owens ended up with six kills. Also, Anna Backel collected 15 digs.