STAC VOLLEYBALL: OWEGO SWEEPS JOHNSON CITY IN METRO DIVISION CLASH (24 PHOTOS) (2019-09-10)

BY TIM TAYLOR
Tioga County Sports Report
OWEGO — Getting the team ready for another trip to states may be a work in progress, but Owego head coach Brittney Race likes the direction the Indians are headed following Tuesday's 3-0 STAC Metro victory over Johnson City.

"I think we finally are starting to go forward and have way less blah moments than before, so I think we're moving in the right direction," she said. 

There were moments when the Wildcats looked like they might challenge the home team.

JC hung tough early in the first set until Owego broke a 10-10 deadlock, scoring 15 of the final 16 points to post a 25-11 win.

Johnson City grabbed a 4-2 lead in the second set, but fell behind 20-8 at one point. Even though Owego would win the game, the Wildcats battled back before falling, 25-21.

The Indians closed out the third set with a 7-0 run to win, 25-13.

"Yeah, we had moments," Race said. "We're going to continue to have moments and, yep, they hung with us at times, but I feel like at other times we stepped up and took control of some of the things we needed to.

"(We're) trying to find the strongest lineup, what's going to work the best for us, but I feel like we're definitely moving in the right direction."

Owego had key holes to fill with the graduation of their setter and two of their best hitters, then lost Evee Coleman to an injury. 

However, Race doesn't appear to be worried. She likes the work ethic and chemistry of this group, and knows it will take a few matches to truly start clicking on the court.

"They're working really hard," Race said. "Like I said before, this team is an extremely hard working ream. They've been putting in the time. They've been putting in the effort, and those young kids are no exception. They've been working really hard every practice and they keep trying to make things happen in games. 

"It doesn't always go the way we want it to, but they're working to do the right things and that execution will come, but I think they're doing a great job and I think all of those guys that maybe didn't have as big of a role last year that are stepping into a big role, I think they're doing a good job."

Sara Zepkowski had nine kills, two blocks and two aces; Mackenzie Struble contributed 11 assists, six kills, three digs and two aces; and Camryn Kopalek added nine assists, four digs and three aces. Annika Kinney had two kills and aces; Taylor Aubel, Mia Puglisi and Emma Howe had two kills each; Bianca DeVita added three assists and three digs; Macey Gibson chipped in with four aces and four digs; and Maddy Powell had two aces.ßå

Owego (2-1) visits U-E Thursday.