Sports
Ace Nation: Bulldogs chase Golden Rockets out of town
By: Tomie Billington
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THE PLAINS, Ohio (WOUB) — The Athens Bulldogs complete a three-set shutout on the Wellston Golden Rockets. This matchup was Volley for a Cure night for both teams. The teams wore matching T-shirts which were provided by Chics for a Cure. These two teams were fighting for more than just the win.
Once the game started the Bulldogs went up to on a three-point run. However, The Golden Rockets bounced back and tied the game up at three a piece. Athens would regain the lead with a kill from Rylee Toadvine. The Bulldogs kept their foot on the gas, extending their lead to eight points, up 16 to 8. Athens took the first set with an ace from Grace Inboden, securing the set, 25 to 16.
Before the second set both teams would come together and raise money for charity by auctioning off a ball signed by both teams. The second set started off with Athens serve. The set did not progress too far before the Athens bulldogs had reason to celebrate as Junior setter Sofia Smith, hit a thousand assists. This milestone is especially impressive as she only began setting two years ago. Head Coach Hailee Hart lofted heavy praise for Sofia and her fellow teammates, “This team is so selfless, and no one has anything but utter happiness, gratitude and excitement for her.”
The set continued quickly afterwards as a kill from Athens Maeve Schwarzel, would put the Bulldogs the up 13 to 8. Athens would then go on to have a seven-point scoring streak. Helped by three back-to-back aces from Indoben forcing a Wellston timeout. The Golden Rockets attempted to stop the bleeding, but this won’t be enough. Athens would go on to win the second set, 25 to 12.
The third set began similarly to the first two. With an ace from Athens Caitlyn Hayes, putting the Bulldogs ahead ten to six. Athens was in charge of the action in the third as they would stole the jets from the Golden Rockets. A kill from Bulldog Mabel Monday would bring up the first match point of the game for Athens. Wellston would stay in the game, forcing Athens into making three straight errors. Then an ace from Golden Rocket Karly Rinehart would force the sixth consecutive match-point. However, Athens would not let the eighth match-point out of their grasp, as a kill from Sofia Smith would seal the game and complete the sweep.
Athens will go on the road to play Amanda-Clearcreek on Saturday. While Wellston attempts to bounce back, as they play Huntington on Monday.