Sports
Ace Nation: Buckeyes dominate in a 4-set thriller in the Alley
By: Gabbie Weil
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ALBANY, Ohio (WOUB) — The Nelsonville-York Buckeyes worked hard for their win against the Alexander Spartans on Tuesday night, winning 3 to 1.
The first set started close with both teams trading points. In the middle of the set, the Spartans took the lead as Junior Meena Juedes started her night off strong by staying consistent on the net. Alexander kept that energy going with multiple aces and attacks from Senior Kyleigh Warren. Nelsonville-York called a timeout, as Alexander was up 17 to 9. The Spartans carried out their win, taking the first set 25 to 20.
“We wanted to just calm it down and get out of our heads.” Buckeyes Libero Delaney Dean mentioned. “We did the same thing last year so I knew that we could pull it out of us, and we could do it.”
The second set was a complete turnaround for Nelsonville-York as they came in strong with an immediate kill from 5. From then on, neither team let up, keeping the set interesting. The Buckeyes took control of the second set with an 11-point service run, leading the set with a score of 15 to 7. From there, the Buckeyes could not be stopped with killer kills from Warren to end the set. Nelsonville-York took the second set 25 to 13.
Alexander was looking for redemption heading into the third. Sophomore Kayden Bean went on a 4-point service run to kick off the set for the Spartans. The Buckeyes responded aggressively by staying dominant on the net. The set was close as teams rallied back and forth. Nelsonville-York snatched the win from Alexander, leaving the Buckeyes up 2 sets to 1.
The fourth set was even more intense than the third, with both teams hungry for the win. Nelsonville-Yorks’ Dean controlled the pace of the game from the service line.
“Delaney took it upon herself to get super scrappy in the back row.” Coach Wayne Dicken shares. “The team followed suit after her, and then when she went to the serving line, she stayed consistent and knew where her spots were and hit them throughout the night.”
Alexander’s Libero Abbi Ohms said right back at you with some aces of her own, keeping everyone on their toes. Both teams were feeling the pressure towards the end, with coaches calling timeouts left and right. In the end, the Buckeyes barely escaped the Alley with a win of 25 to 22. Nelsonville-York defeated Alexander 3 sets to 1.
Alexander travels to Vinton County tomorrow night. Nelsonville-York looks to continue their win streak as they host River Valley tomorrow night.