Sports
Athens Holds on to Undefeated TVC-Ohio Record Against Nelsonville-York
By: Brad Walker
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The Lady Bulldogs and the Lady Buckeyes were prepared for battle from the beginning. Just as the Buckeyes would go on a run, the Lady Bulldogs would respond with a run of their own. Athens had 15 kills in the first set, but the defense of Nelsonville-York kept it close, pulling out the win of 25-23.
The second set was a different story, as Athens began to not only take over the set, but the game. Nelsonville-York had sloppy play in the second set and Athens capitalized on these errors by leaping out to a 15-5 lead before Nelsonville-York took their second time out of the set. This time out could not help the Lady Buckeyes rally as they would drop the set 25-11.
The third set began much like the first set. At the first stoppage of play, Athens took a time out with an 11-10 in favor of the Lady Buckeyes. This time out was vital for the Lady Bulldogs as they pulled ahead to a five-point lead and forced Nelsonville-York to take a time out, trailing 19-14. Although Nelsonville-York did not allow Athens to extend the lead they still fell in the third set 25-17.
The Lady Buckeyes came out strong in the fourth set jumping to an 8-4 lead before Athens took a time out. Athens pulled it back together, ending the game on a 14-2 run, finishing the set 25-15, winning the match 3-1.
The major key to this victory tonight for Athens was their stamina followed up with its power. This would be due to Coach Haley Dake’s conditioning program. She says she has the girls working out twice a week, such as cardio and weight lifting. This showed as the game had many long volleys that ended in the Lady Bulldogs favor. With most of those endings being kills from its front-line leader, senior Gabby Carey.
Carey had 25 kills for the game for Athens. Her side kick for most of these kills was fellow senior Sierra Smith. Smith totaled 40 assists for the game.
On the Nelsonville-York side this game is not one to be shameful of. As they had some great defense towards that front line of Athens, forcing Athens to work for their points. The Lady Buckeyes totaled up 17 digs in the game. Not allowing kills to immediately hit the floor.
Nelsonville-York will look to keep up this defense in their next contest against Alexander on Monday October 3rd. For the Lady Buckeyes, they will look to keep powering through the competition when they square off with River Valley on Tuesday.