Sports
Ace Nation: Buckeyes squeeze past the Bulldogs in crosstown rivalry
By: Greta Gunderson
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Athens, Ohio (WOUB) — The Athens Bulldogs hosted the Nelsonville-York Buckeyes in a TVC-Ohio matchup on Tuesday.
The Buckeyes were on a nine-game win streak and were undefeated in the TVC-Ohio coming into the match. Athens was looking to bounce back after a loss to New Lexington on Saturday. Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, Athens was unable to take a set from Nelsonville-York, as the Buckeyes swept them in straight sets.
Athens and Nelsonville-York traded points in a close first set. After multiple lead changes, the Bulldogs took the lead 24-22, looking to close out the set. Nelsonville-York answered behind the attack of Senior Chloe Lehman and Junior Kyleigh Warren. The pair had a combined 20 kills on the night. The Buckeyes went on a five to one run to take the set 27-25.
However, Athens did not let the result of the first set rattle them. Athens took a 10-7 lead after a block from Freshman Mabel Monday, kills from Senior Ava Williams, and kills from Junior Rylee Toadvine. Nelsonville-York answered defensively with digs from Senior libero Lindsey Spencer. Nelsonville-York pulled away after yet another kill from Warren, winning the second set 25-16.
The Buckeyes were looking to close out the match going into the third set, and they did just that. The Buckeyes jumped out to an 11-1 lead behind the precision serving of Junior Megan Booth. Nelsonville-York collected six aces in the match and Booth had four of them. The Bulldogs came within nine points of the Buckeyes lead, but Nelsonville took the final set 25-14.
The Buckeyes are now 12-1 on the season. They’ll look to carry on their now 10-game win streak when they host the Vinton County Vikings on Thursday.
“We know that the target on our back continues to grow,” Coach Dicken said. “Our first goal is always to win the league”.
The Buckeyes are hoping to uphold this plan against Vinton County. Athens looks to bounce back as they host the Logan Chieftains on Thursday.