Sports
Ace Nation: Hocking Beats Ohio in a Five Set Thriller in the first TVC Senior Showcase
By: Emma Struntz
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POMEROY, Ohio (WOUB) – For the very first annual TVC Senior Showcase, eight high schools came together on Sunday afternoon for an action-packed volleyball showdown. Representing Hocking was Southern, Federal Hocking, Belpre, and Trimble, coached by Courtney Whittington and Kim Hupp. TVC Ohio brought Alexander, Athens, Meigs, and Vinton County, with coach Lauren Hill.
From the opening serve, it was clear both teams were here to compete. The first set was a whirlwind of long rallies and relentless energy, with both sides trading points in a tense back-and-forth. Hocking finally surged ahead 13 to 10, fueled by aggressive swings. The rallies were exhausting but electrifying, with tips, dives, and quick saves keeping the crowd on their feet. With 26 aces and kills combined in the set, Hocking took the opening set 30 to 28.
Momentum carried over into the second set. Hocking came out pressuring TVC Ohio into errors and quickly establishing a six to one lead. But Ohio refused to fold, putting up a powerful block to even the score at 12 all. Energy filled the gym as the score bounced back and forth, with front row hitters slamming the ball straight to the floor. Hocking’s hitters stepped up, securing the set 25 to 20 and taking a two to zero lead in the match.
Ohio bounced back in the third set, ramping up their offense with clever setter dumps and tip kills that kept Hocking’s defense scrambling. Defensive players were diving across the court, extending rallies and making insane saves, but Ohio’s determination paid off. With constant tip attacks, Ohio took the third set 25 to 22, keeping the match alive.
The fourth set brought a dramatic shift. Athens’ Sofia Smith started the set on an incredible 15-point serving run, igniting Ohio’s momentum. Hocking struggled to recover, communication breaking down, and errors piling up. Ohio dominated the set, taking it twenty-five to eight and setting the stage for a nail-biting fifth and final set to 15.
The fifth set started with another energy shift. Hocking came out strong, racking up aces and quickly taking a five to one lead. Ohio wasn’t ready to give up, though, and fought back with some big kills to tie it up at 11 to 11. Both teams were scrambling, making tough plays and forcing errors on each other. In the end, Hocking managed to pull ahead and take the final set 15 to 12, winning the match and the very first TVC Senior Showcase.
