IAC VOLLEYBALL: T-BURG’S EXPERIENCE LEADS TO SWEEP OF NV (2025-09-16)

By TIM TAYLOR
Tioga County Sports Report
NEWARK VALLEY — Newark Valley is gaining valuable match experience although it may be a little tough when the Cardinals have to face opponents like Trumansburg, a program which was a Class C state semifinalist in 2023.

The Blue Raiders, led by middle hitter Ashton Giesy, who was on that state tournament squad, swept the match by scores of 25-4, 25-10 and 25-14.

T-burg broke a 2-2 tie in the opening set on the strength of three consecutive aces from Addison Muraca while Anna Muraca served five straight points to give the visitors a 13-3 advantage and they would surrender just one more point the rest of the game.

The Raiders would score the first four points of game two, but Aviah Aylesworth would step to the service line and help the Cardinals knot the score. T-burg’s Zoeleaha Fair would serve five points for a 13-4 lead and NV could get no closer than 14-8.

The Cardinals kept the third set closed early, trading points with T-burg before the Raiders’ Mel Collins created some space, serving six straight points for a 9-2 lead. With NV down by nine, Haven Aylesworth made a nice tap at the net for a sideout to cut the lead to 15-7, then Abby Debolt served a pair of points to make it 15-9, but the Cardinals could get no closer.

T-burg’s advantage in experience was evident throughout the match. Eight of the Raiders’ 11 players are upperclassmen.

“I have three seniors, and one hasn't played for the past two years,” Fischer said. “We're just a young team, and we'll get there eventually.

Keeping team morale up is key for NV right now.

“When we're at practice, everything's great,” Fischer said. “I think it's just the fact that we haven't won yet just keeps building, and the pressure keeps building because everyone just wants to get that first win, so every game that we lose is just harder and harder at this point.

“We're definitely getting there,” she added. “It's just my older girls are frustrated because they have been on teams that have had better success in the past, so they are putting a lot of pressure on themselves, thinking that they should be doing more than we can at the moment.”

Haven Aylesworth had three kills and six digs, Adriana Rich recorded two kills and two digs, Anaya Aylesworth contributed one kill and three digs, Aviah Aylesworth chipped in with two aces and a dig, Emma Finner had one kill and two assists, Rowan Veruto pitched in with assist and two digs, Kate Guiles had a dig, and Emilee Rhodes tacked on one assists.

Newark Valley hosts Edison Thursday.

JV: T-burg won, 26-24 and 25-20.

Polly Hines scored five kills and two aces for NV while Kaitlyn Keith added four kills and one dig. Alyssa Baldwin registered four aces and two assists, Adin Lelik had three digs, and Natalie Wandell contributed two kills, two digs and an assist.

——————

IN PHOTO 1: Adriana Rich. IN TOP PHOTO: Haven Aylesworth. … PHOTOS BY TIM TAYLOR.

Print Friendly Version