Martins Ferry Roars Back After First Loss, Ousts Bellaire In D-V Sectional Volleyball

MARTINS FERRY - After suffering its first loss after 20 straight wins to start the volleyball season, Martins Ferry continued its winning ways Tuesday night inside Tolbert Gymnasium.

The state-ranked and No. 2 seeded Purple Riders (21-1) made quick work of No. 12 Bellaire in straight sets, 25-6, 25-20 and 25-10, to open the Ohio Division V, East 2 sectional tournament. The match lasted a mere 49 minutes and was the third time that Martins Ferry had swept Bellaire this season.

The Purple Riders defeated Linsly on Monday night.

"We still have some things that we are trying to accomplish and work on," Martins Ferry head coach Jaela Koller said. "Sometimes we don't like to step out of our comfort zone, but trying to get ready for this tournament run is one of them. I liked the way we played tonight."

Senior Giana Chirpas recorded eight of her 11 kills in the 12-minute first set. The Purple Riders led 6-4 before going on a 19-2 run that featured four consecutive kills by junior Nicole Hammerquist.

"Any coach would want laser focus like that," Koller said of the way the Purple Riders started the match. "We came out determined."

In the second set, Martins Ferry bolted to leads of 12-4, 16-7 and 20-13 only to watch the Big Reds (6-16) pull to within 20-19 before running out of steam. The Purple Riders netted five of the final six points for a 2-0 lead.

"I pretty much got everyone in during that second set. I kind of liked it," the coach added. "You never know what might happen down the road and you might need one of those players that haven't seen much time so far.

"Bellaire got to within five and I put my starters back in, telling them they've got five points to get the job done," Koller continued.

Tied at 2 in the third set, a block by Chirpas ignited a 10-3 run that built a 12-5 lead. Chirpas and Hammerquist controlled the net from there on as the Purple Riders pulled away to complete the sweep, their 16th of the campaign.

Martins Ferry was led by SJ Koller with half-a-dozen service aces and 22 digs. Maddie Lucas contributed five kills and a pair of aces, while Hammerquist checked in with five kills and two blocks. Olivia Harkness charted 22 assists and Addie Simpson logged four kills.

With the win, Martins Ferry advances to the district semifinals next Tuesday against No. 6 Barnesville, which ousted No. 9 Edison in four sets. That match will once again be high atop the Purple City at 6 p.m.