The Jets improved to 5-0 on the young season thanks to yet another quick sweep of an over-matched opponent. Monday’s victory came against Martins Ferry, which dropped to 1-3 on the young season after the Jets handed them a 25-11, 25-12 and 25-13 setback.

“We’re pretty fortunate because we have a nice mix of youth and experience,” UL head coach Kaye Sechrest said. “Even our young players have experience. We’re truly lucky.”

Indeed.

And on top of that mixture, which seemingly always pays nice dividends, the Jets have arguably the top player in the area in senior Torre Kildow, who made her presence felt time and time again against the Purple Riders.

“Union Local has a great team, but I think they rely on one (player) for most of the points they need,” Ferry head coach Jaela Koller said. “Other (Union Local) girls play excellent, but without their star player, I think other teams could compete with them.”

“(Kildow) makes that much of a difference. Every team would love to have a player like that who stands out and supplies energy to all of the other players on the court.”

Kildow, who is verbally committed to continue her volleyball career at Ohio University, literally did a little bit of everything. She hit with authority, dug the ball when she was in the back row, served efficiently and used her length and athleticism to save a few points that appeared to be on their way to going into the Riders’ column.

“Torre can get to a lot of balls that maybe other players who are shorter can’t get to,” Sechrest said. “She’s able to use both hands effectively.”

Kildow’s stat line included 19 of the Jets’ 39 kills. She had seven digs and an ace.

With Kildow connecting on spike after spike, the Jets soared out to an 8-0 lead in the opening set and truly never looked back. However, the Purple Riders, though the final scores don’t necessarily indicate it, competed and played much better in the second and third sets.

“It’s a mental game,” Koller said. “Any female sport, I think is 85% mental and when you keep getting pounded by one person, it’s mental and it’s hard to get out of the funk.”

The Jets received impressive play from talented freshman Laken Vinskovich, who had six kills, a like number of digs and three aces. Kelly Gress handed out 29 assists and had six digs. Olivia Wortman was solid at the net with eight kills.

Julie Broussard posted 12 digs and four aces, while sophomore Ella Pietranton posted six aces, three kills and four digs. Emma Yager had five digs.

The Purple Riders were led on the stat sheet by Sydney Koller’s 12 digs, 10 kills and two blocks. Lindsay Best had nine digs, five kills and four blocks, while Hannah Meeker posted five digs, three blocks and she handed out 18 assists.

(Saturday)

Wheeling Park def. Indian Creek

WINTERSVILLE — The Partiots secured a sweep on the road Saturday, defeating host Indian Creek by scores of 25-14, 25-16 and 25-12.

Olivia Albrecht tallied 12 kills, six digs and one block to lead Park. Lily Brinker registered nine kills, and ace and two blocks while Faith Randolph had nine kills, five aces and 15 digs.