Unioto used an all-around solid performance to beat Southeastern for the undisputed SVC Volleyball Championship Thursday, (25-17, 17-25, 25-18, 25-14). The win allows the Shermans to claim their first SVC Gold Volleyball in school history, joining Adena as the only schools to ever win it. It's also Unioto's 7th conference VB crown all-time and their first league title since 2014.
Unioto had 3 players with double-digit kills and 6 players with kills to go along with 7 team serving aces. Southeastern had four players in double-digit kills and 4 serving aces.
The Shermans led most of Set 1, breaking away from a close 13-11 lead to score 8 unanswered points for a 21-11 advantage, before closing out a 25-17 win.
Unioto started quickly in Set 2, leading 7-2 when Southeastern called a timeout. Whatever Panthers Coah Jimmy Hutton discussed during that break apparently worked as SE broke away from an 8-8 score to grab leads of 15-9, 20-11 and closed out a 25-17 victory to even the match at (1-1).
A pivotal moment in Set 3 was after Southeastern built a 10-7 lead. Unioto proceeded on a 6-2 run for a 13-12 edge and never trailed again in that Set for a 25-18 win.
The Shermans led much of Set 4, leading by as many as 9 to 10 points, before finishing with a 25-14 match victory and the SVC title.
Unioto was led by Amanda McGlone's 16 kills, Jocie Fisher had 15 kills, 5 digs and 3 1/2 blocks, Ashley Taylor cranked 12 kills with 3 serving aces and 9 digs. Amber Cottrill hammered 5 kills and had a team-high 21 digs. Hallie Pinkerton had 18 digs and 3 aces. Madie Eberst dished-out 38 assists, had 13 digs, 2 1/2 blocks and 2 kills. Hannah Hall added 3 kills and 7 digs. Kalynn Rose had 5 digs.
The Panthers were powered by Ella Skeens 14 kills, 11 digs and 2 1/2 blocks. Jessica Bolte had 12 kills, 11 digs and 1 block along with 3 serving aces. Skylar Hice and Rachel Collins each had 10 kills, with Collins picking up 2 blocks and Hice 16 digs. Lauren Goebel had 44 assists and 11 digs. Sierra Delong had 3 kills and 11 digs, Morgan Wilson added 9 digs and Holly Walsh with 4.
Unioto closes the regular season at (14-0/21-1) as they take their #1 seed to the Division 2 sectional tournament, while Southeastern is (12-2/19-3) heading to the Division 3 sectional as a top seed.
The only team to beat Unioto this season, was non-conference foe- Logan Elm. The Braves secured a Mid State League co-championship with Hamilton Township as LE defeated Bloom Carroll (25-21, 25-14, 25-12). Hamilton Township shared the title with a (25-17, 19-25, 25-12, 25-19) win over Teays Valley.
Unioto and Logan Elm could be on a collision course to meet for the D-2 District title, if both teams clear the hurdles before them.
If you missed the live coverage on WKKJ with Mike Smith and B. Jay Dailey, listen to the broadcast below on our podcast link....