IAC VOLLEYBALL: S-VE SWEEPS SCRAPPY NEWFIELD TO IMPROVE TO 2-0 (2023-09-07)

By TIM TAYLOR
Tioga County Sports Report
SPENCER — The S-VE volleyball team improved to 2-0 on the young season with another sweep Thursday, this time dispatching a scrappy Newfield opponent, 3-0.

The Panthers pulled away in the latter stages of the opening set for a 25-15 win, but had to fend off the Trojans in the next two. S-VE would prevail in the next two, 25-23 and 25-19.

“Even after the game was done, and even though we won, I went over and talked to the other team because I was so impressed with the difference in the coaching and the players,” S-VE coach Charity Meyers said. “This year, I think it's a huge difference and I think they're doing an amazing job, so I wanted to let them know.

“I feel like our girls worked hard tonight and they did great serving. They were on the hits. They really had it together. But I think people are going to be surprised by Newfield because I really think that their level of play has definitely gone up.”

In game one, while holding onto a 14-11 edge, the Panthers would outscore the visitors, 11-4. After a side out gave S-VE a 20-15 advantage, then Faith Brenchley would serve five straight points, including three consecutive aces.

In the next two sets it looked like the Panthers would pull away, but Newfield refused to go away.

S-VE built a 13-5 cushion in the second game, but gave Newfield a pair of points by hitting two straight balls off the gym ceiling crossbeam.

That sparked a comeback attempt as the Trojans chipped away at the lead, closing the gap to 19-18. With Lilyanah Doolittle at the service line, S-VE pushed its lead to 22-18, only to watch Newfield cut the gap to 22-21 and 24-23 before the home team could seal the win.

The final set saw S-VE build a 15-8 lead, but again the scrappy Trojans refused to give in, trimming the margin to two points five times, the last at 21-19, before the Panthers locked up the match.

All-around solid play was key to S-VE’s victory.

“I felt that they really pushed through, and any kind of trials that we were dealing with,” Meyers said. “There were some feet apparently that were going under the net and stuff, so we pushed through that, but I feel like they just kept playing the whole time. They never gave up and I think they did a really good job.”

Faith Brenchley scored nine service points, including six aces, and also had three kills, two digs and 15 assists for the Panthers. Adriena Farmer posted 10 kills, seven digs and two points; Lilyanah Doolittle chipped in with eight points (four aces), five kills and a dig;

Jackie Brown had eight points (1 ace), one kill and 10 digs; CeCe Churey contributed eight points (5 aces), a kill and five digs; Aryonnah Disbrow added five points (2 aces) and an assist; Kaili Root had four kills, two digs and an ace; Makana Diboun tacked on six digs; and Lauren Gillette had a kill and a dig.

S-VE (2-0) competes in the Corning Hawks Volleyball Tournament Saturday, then returns to IAC action Monday at home against Groton.

JV: Newfield rallied to win, 2-1. S-VE took the first set, 25-16, then the Trojans won, 25-23 and 25-20.

Trinity Dashler served up 15 points (9 aces), five kills and a dig; Kelsea Swayze had eight points, 10 assists and a dig; Mya Grant had three points and two digs; Josalyn Irvin added three points (1 ace); Amani Diboun pitched in with eight points (4 aces), three kills and six digs; Andralyn Wallace had three points (1 ace) and three kills; Eighmee Slusser tacked on a kill and an assist; and Vivienne Secondo added one kill.

——————

PHOTOS BY TIM TAYLOR.

Print Friendly Version