Prep volleyball: Galion, Northmor pick up wins

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A sweep of River Valley on Thursday evening was just what the doctor ordered for the Galion volleyball team on the heels of tough losses to two of the top programs in the Buckeye State earlier in the week.

Galion (11-5, 7-3 Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference) thumped the Vikings in three sets, 25-13, 25-19, 25-22, to snap a two-match losing streak. The Tigers dropped matches to Edison and Jonathan Alder on Monday and Tuesday, respectively. Edison (12-1) is ranked 11th in this week’s Ohio High School Volleyball Coaches Association Div. III poll. Alder (17-0, 10-0 MOAC) is ranked third in Div. II.

“We knew this was going to be a tough week for us, starting off with those matches back-to-back,” said Galion head coach Jaime Valentine. “I was disappointed because I was hoping to get Edison, but we came out a little flat and couldn’t really recoup. We had Alder on the ropes in the first set, but missed a serve — huge momentum killer — and from that they took it, and we just never recovered.”

Valentine was glad to pick up the win against the Vikings (4-11, 3-7 MOAC), which she hopes will rekindle her team’s confidence. However, she stated that the Tigers still have room to improve.

“Tonight was good to kind of get back on track and refocus,” said Valentine. “I know they’re tired, but they kind of underestimated (River Valley) coming in. We had some kids who weren’t really on tonight, but, on the other hand, we had some kids that have been struggling the last couple of games and they stepped up. I told them it’s going to be a nice scene when everyone is on at the same time. Hopefully, that happens soon.”

Taylor Valentine led the Tigers with 22 kills and 20 digs. Marisa Gwinner added nine kills and a team-high four blocks. Chloe McCleese finished with four kills. Gabby Abouhassan and Kiki Staton had three kills each.

Abouhassan recorded three blocks and Valentine added two blocks. Staton and Bradlee Saterfield had one block each.

Ashley Flowers came up with 11 digs. Saterfield had eight digs. Staton, Dusty Thomas and Callie Wildenthaler had five apiece. Gwinner chipped in with four digs. Abouhassan and McCleese had one each.

Saterfield finished with 28 assists. Staton had three and Flowers added two helpers.

River Valley’s match statistics were not available.

Galion faces off against yet another ranked team on Saturday when the Tigers travel to Buckeye Central. The Buckettes (11-4, 8-3 Northern 10) are ranked No. 10 in this week’s OHSVCA Div. IV poll.

Buckeye Central’s six-match winning streak ended on Tuesday with a four-set loss to Northern 10 Athletic Conference leader Upper Sandusky. The Rams (13-2, 11-0 N10) are ranked 17th in this week’s OHSVCA Div. II poll. However, Buckeye Central rebounded with a sweep of Ridgedale on Thursday.

Northmor def. Centerburg, 3-2

The Knights (11-5, 7-3 MOAC) won a five-set slugfest against Centerburg on Thursday, 25-23, 18-25, 20-25, 25-18, 15-11. The victory extended Northmor’s winning streak to three consecutive matches.

Mikayla Briggs led Northmor with 17 kills. Anna Donner added 12 kills. Karlee Carroll recorded seven kills and Hope Miracle pounded six kills.

Jordyn Zoll enjoyed a perfect night setting (151-for-151) and dished out 46 assists. Zoll was 26-for-26 serving with one ace. Donner went 15-for-15 serving and nailed an ace. Lindsey Wiseman was 16-for-16 on serve. Carroll went 14-for-14 from the service line. Kelsie Fike went 10-for-11.

Caroll led the Knights with 19 digs. Donner and Zoll had 18 digs apiece. Wiseman and Cristianna Boggs had 17 digs each.

Rayanna Loyer led Northmor with three blocks. Carroll had two blocks and Fike had one.

Statistics for Centerburg (13-4, 8-2 MOAC) were not available.

Centerburg won the junior varsity match, 25-21, 25-16.

Northmor plays host to Elgin on Tuesday.

Centerburg travels to East Knox on Tuesday.

Galion libero Ashley Flowers digs up a ball during the Tigers’ sweep of River Valley on Thursday in Caledonia. Galion prevailed, 25-13, 25-19, 25-22, to snap a two-match losing skid. Also pictured are Dusty Thomas (14) and Taylor Valentine.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/38/2015/10/web1_Volleyball-2-10-03-151.jpgGalion libero Ashley Flowers digs up a ball during the Tigers’ sweep of River Valley on Thursday in Caledonia. Galion prevailed, 25-13, 25-19, 25-22, to snap a two-match losing skid. Also pictured are Dusty Thomas (14) and Taylor Valentine. Andrew Carter | Galion Inquirer

By Andrew Carter

[email protected]

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

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