Sports
Ace Nation: The Bulldogs topped the Buckeyes in a five-set thriller
By: Greta Gunderson
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THE PLAINS, Ohio (WOUB) — The Athens Bulldogs won in five sets over the Nelsonville-York Buckeyes on Thursday night.
The Bulldogs came out hot in the first set, pulling ahead twelve to seven after three aces in a row from Evie Garland. The Buckeyes called a timeout and attempted to crawl their way back into the set. A kill from Katie McKinney brought them within six points of Athens’s lead, 12 to 18. Ultimately, Nelsonville-York’s comeback attempt was not enough, and the Bulldogs took the first set 25 to 18 on a block from Mabel Monday.
In the second set Athens jumped out to an early four to one lead on an ace from Grace Inboden. Another ace from Avery Hart furthered Athens’s lead to eleven to five, forcing a Buckeye timeout. Nelsonville-York went on to rally back to take the lead 22 to 21 after a kill from Lexi Warren. The Buckeyes never looked back and won the third set on an ace from Ella Vohlken, 25 to 22.
The Bulldogs started fast again in the third set, with another ace from Inboden giving them a six to two lead. Nelsonville-York never gave up and fought back taking a 9 to 11 lead after an ace from Morgan Lehman. Athens called a timeout but could not find their rhythm. An ace from Sofia Smith, near the end of the set, brought the Bulldogs within two points of the Buckeye lead, 22 to 24. Despite the final push by Athens, Nelsonville-York won the third set 25 to 22.
In set four, both teams were neck-and-neck, both defenses refusing to let the ball hit the floor. The Bulldogs began to pull away in the middle of the set with a kill from Ava Meili giving them some cushion, ahead 18 to 10. Athens did not stop there and cruised to a 25 to 14 victory in the fourth set, after back-to-back kills from Liza Hartman.
Heading into the fifth set, both teams were pumped up. Athens Senior Liza Hartmen commented on the Bulldogs’ objectives going into the set, “We had a strong focus on being connected, we needed a leader to step up and some of our underclassmen really stepped into that role alongside our upperclassmen.”
Athens Head Coach Hailee Hart spoke about the emphasis they put on serving as a team, “We put a lot of pressure on serving at practice, so that way there is not as much tension behind the serving line.”
After trading points the Bulldogs found the separation they needed to win the fifth set, 15 to 12, and the match three to two.
Athens will hope to continue their eight-game winning streak as the host the Marietta Tigers on Monday. Nelsonville-York looks to bounce back as they travel to Southern to take on the Tornados on Monday as well.