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Ace Nation: Spartans Sweep Bulldogs in Rivalry Matchup


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ALBANY, Ohio (WOUB) — The Alexander Spartans swept Athens Bulldogs on Thursday night.  

Alexander started the night off with Lila Moser earning the first two points with a kill and a block. Athens tried to bounce back, but enforced errors from their side kept the Spartans ahead. A kill from Macie Hubbard forced a Bulldog timeout, Alexander up fifteen to eight. Coming out of the timeout, Athens could not find their rhythm, and the Spartans came out on top at the end of the first set twenty-five to twelve.  

Coming off hot from the first set, Alexander kept their momentum high. The Spartans jumped ahead eleven to five in the second set, utilizing Maddy Penrod who earned the team five kills. The Bulldogs began to make use of their court awareness by earning two smart points. One from Evie Garland pushing the ball to the back corner of the court, and the following point from Liza Hartman who gained a kill from a backrow attack making the score fifteen to nine. Despite their efforts, Alexander was still able to win the set

Spartans Maddy Penrod and Macie Hubbard celebrate a point
Spartans Maddy Penrod and Macie Hubbard celebrate a point [Logan Smutylo | WOUB Public Media]
Heading into the third set the energy in the gym was electric for the Spartans who were playing at home. Spartan Head Coach Lauren Hill discussed their game plan after winning the first two sets, “We always say its back to zero to zero. We just try to build and recover and even though we know that we have the momentum, it’s still anybody’s game, and that’s the beauty of volleyball.” 

Alexander began the third set with a lead of six to two once again because of team errors from the Bulldogs’ side of the court. However, Athens started to make a comeback by working their middles, Mabel Monday and Emma Meili, into their plays. The Bulldogs took the lead at thirteen to twelve with a block from Ava Meili. Despite Athens’ best efforts, the set went into extra points, with Alexander sweeping Athens twenty-seven to twenty-five.  

The Alexander Spartans will return to the court at Huntington to play in a tri-match on Saturday.  The Athens Bulldogs will look to bounce back as they travel to Fairfield Union to take on the Falcons on Monday.