Thursday night saw the SVC's top two volleyball teams go head-to-head for a third time this season with #5 state ranked Adena taking down #11 Westfall (3-1) in a 28-30, 25-16, 27-25, 25-20 Division 3 Regional Semi and advance to the finals Saturday against #4 state ranked Tuscarawas Valley.
The Trojans beat #6 ranked Wheelersburg in a five set marathon 25-17, 23-25, 25-21, 25-27, 15-13. Set five saw the Pirates with an 11-7 lead, but could not hang on.
That theme also appeared in the Adena-Westfall match, with the Warriors up 16-9 and 21-16 in Set #1, only to see the Mustangs roar back for the 30-28 win.
The Warriors drew even in Set #2 with a 25-16 decision, setting up what might have been the match turning point in Set #3.
Trailing 12-8, Westfall went on a 7-0 run for a 15-12 lead. Westfall kept the lead and were on the verge of taking a (2-1) advantage, up 24-21. But the Warriors fought off multiple set-points for a 27-25 victory to take a (2-1) lead in the match.
Set #4 had Adena getting out to a 4-0 lead and held the advantage through the rest of the set, with the Mustangs pulling to within 19-18, before the Warriors won some long rallies in going to the 25-20 match win.
Unofficial stats showed Adena with a season-high 17 serving aces with Camryn Carroll firing off 6. Brenna McQuiniff added 4, Ari DaRif 3, Jenna Martin 2, while Makenna Lovely and Emma Curry added 1 each.
Martin also had 14 kills and 3 blocks. Makenna Lovely pounded 10 kills, 8 from Ellie Harper to go along with 5 digs, a block and a block assist, while Makaela Lovely, Sydney Fogelsong and Hannah Burns each had 5 kills. Camryn Carroll had 19 digs, Hope Garrison 13 and Makenna Lovely with 10.
Westfall senior Kristen Phillips was unstoppable with 21 kills, 1 block and three aces. Marissa Mullins had 12 kills, 20 digs and 5 blocks. Hailey Young added 8 kills, 9 digs and an ace. Ashley Hegarty added 4 kills, Claire Latham 2 kills and 10 digs. Lauren Daniels 13 digs and 1 ace. The Mustangs had 8 serving aces as a team.
The Warriors improve to (22-1) and face (26-1) Tuscarawas Valley at 2pm Saturday for a berth into the State Final Four.
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