IAC VOLLEYBALL: S-VE ENDS LENGTHY DROUGHT AGAINST TIOGA (2022-09-21)

Tioga County Sports Report
SPENCER — It’s been a spell since S-VE has beaten Tioga on the volleyball court. The Panthers’ first-year head coach, Erika Brown, believes it may have been as far back as 2013.

Well, that lengthy losing streak against one of the top programs in Section IV came to an end here Wednesday evening as S-VE battled its way past the Tigers, 3-2, in IAC South Small School action.

"I am so proud of my girls tonight,” Brown said. “They had a few errors but continued to play hard.

“This is a huge win for S-VE volleyball. I contribute my team's success tonight to their grit and positive attitudes they continually embrace within each other.”

They played to win. They won,” Tioga coach Des Ford said. “They played a great match.”

The two teams got at it early with S-VE grinding out a 25-23 victory in the opening set.

Tioga flexed its muscle in the second set, however, cruising to a 25-10 victory.

The third set went back in the Panthers’ favor as they clawed out a 26-24 triumph.

The fourth set saw S-VE grab an early 7-6 lead, then the Tigers reeled off five straight points to grab an 11-7 advantage. Then, following a long volley between the two, Tioga added one more point before the Panthers could get a sideout. The Tigers would pull away and S-VE could get no closer than 10 points down the stretch, and the visitors won, 25-14.

That win forced a fifth set — to 15 due to a rule change enacted by the state this season. It didn’t make a difference to the two teams as they put on a tight duel with S-VE prevailing, 16-14.

“My girls, their attitude on and off the court, they are an awesome group of girls,” Brown said. “They have so much school spirit, morale. They are just pumped up. They're ready, they're motivated and they want it.”

“They’re getting back to the program they were,” Ford said. “I knew they were going to be good. Erika does a nice job with them.”

Faith Brenchley had 13 digs, 19 assists, three kills and a block; Lilyanah Doolittle contributed one ace, two digs, four kills and a block; and Marah Cooper recorded an ace, 17 digs, two assists and 14 kills.

Kaili Root chipped in with one ace, two digs and 7 kills; Jacqueline Brown added one ace, 15 digs and one assist; Annika Walle had six digs; and Adriena Farmer tacked on two aces, nine digs, three assists and three kills.

S-VE improved to 4-1 on the season while Tioga slipped to 4-1.

The Panthers visit Candor Monday for another key divisional clash. JV: Tioga won, 3-0.

——————

IN PHOTO 1: S-VE’s Faith Brenchley (14) and Adriena Farmer. ... PHOTOS BY TIM TAYLOR.

Print Friendly Version