Round one in the SVC Volleyball standings has Unioto and Southeastern tied for the top spot at (6-1), after the Shermans beat the Panthers at Southeastern 22-25, 25-22, 25-21, 25-13 in a battle of two state top 10 ranked teams. Southeastern is 4th in the latest Division 3 poll while Unioto is 7th in Division 2.
The turning point in the match was in Set 3. Both teams had won 25-22 decisions in the first two sets to even the match at (1-1). In Set 3, with Southeastern seemingly in control with a 20-16 lead, that is where the momentum swung toward the Shermans as they finished that set on a 9-1 run for the 25-21 victory. The Tanks then cruised in Set 4 for the 25-13 win.
The Shermans defense played well at the net- slowing the Panthers hitters with blockers getting their hands on many Southeastern attacks. The Unioto back row was also equal to the task, digging up many of Southeastern's hits to win long rallies.
Unioto was led by Jocie Fisher's 17 kills, followed by Amanda McGlone with 8, Amber Cottrill 7 and Crea Stulley with 5. Fisher and Hallie Pinkerton had two aces each, and Pinkerton scored 16 serving points. Unioto backrow players were busy with Cottrill leading with 21, Fisher 17, Alexis Miller 12 and Pinkerton with 10.
Southeastern's Jessica Bolte had 13 kills, Skylar Hice 12 and Lindsey Skeens with 7. Lexi Lockwood had 26 digs, including two great saves late in the match. Sierra Delong added 17 digs, 13 for Hice and 12 for Lauren Goebel.
Broadcast coverage of SVC Volleyball on 94 Country WKKJ and iHeart Radio gets underway Tuesday, September 25th as Unioto travels to Zane Trace. Other regular season broadcast matches will be Huntington at Southeastern on October 4th and Southeastern at Unioto on October 11th.
iHeart Media Sports Director Mike Smith spoke with Unioto Coach Natalie Stulley after the match, where you can hear those comments on our podcast link found below....