Volleyball: Galion sweeps North Union

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Galion needed just three sets to take down North Union on Thursday in Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference volleyball. The Tigers won, 25-21, 25-20, 25-22.

The win helped the Tigers (8-3, 4-2 MOAC) keep pace with Jonathan Alder and Pleasant in the Red Division table. The Pioneers (11-0, 5-0 MOAC) lead the division with the Spartans (7-2, 5-1 MOAC) one game behind.

Despite the victory over North Union, head coach Jaime Valentine was not pleased with her club’s performance.

“We played flat tonight,” she said. “Defensively, a couple of people have stepped up, and they still played consistently tonight, but now we’re looking to try and move the ball around, and people have to make plays, but that’s not happening right now. Until we can try to diversify our offense, it’s going to be a challenge when we get up against some of those upper teams (in the MOAC). We have to have some people step up offensively and play with more intensity than we did tonight.”

Taylor Valentine and Marisa Gwinner recorded 18 kills and 14 kills, respectively, to pace the Tiger attack. Valentine had 20 digs and Gwinner notched six blocks. Bradlee Saterfield dished out 27 assists and had three blocks.

Ashley Flowers had a team-best 21 digs. Saterfield added 11 digs. Dusty Thomas finished with eight.

Statistics for North Union (5-4, 3-4 MOAC) were not available.

Valentine said the Tigers can no longer use the excuse of being a young team for some of the issues they’re facing.

“Yes, they’re inexperienced and they’re still learning those things, but it’s mid-season now and we have to start focusing on the second round (of the MOAC schedule) and the postseason,” she noted. “We’ve got to stop making excuses and just go. It’s important for them to understand that. I think we have a good shot at some different opportunities (in the MOAC and postseason), but we’ve got to have some more people step up and take some responsibility.”

Galion travels to Buckeye Valley (4-7, 1-5 MOAC) on Tuesday then returns home to face Pleasant on Thursday. The match against the Barons will be the first meeting between the two sides this season.

The match against Pleasant is Parents Night for the Tigers. The Spartans defeated Galion in five sets on Sept. 1.

As far as postseason play is concerned, Galion will play in the Div. III sectional at Seneca East. It’s scheduled for Oct. 28 and 31. The sectional features Bucyrus, Colonel Crawford, Ashland Crestview, Edison, Fostoria, Gibsonburg, Huron, Margaretta, Mohawk, Western Reserve, Willard and Wynford.

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By Andrew Carter

[email protected]

Reach Carter at 419-468-1117, ext. 2048, or on Twitter @ACGalionSports.

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