Williamstown beats Wood County Christian, St. John
Wood County Christian’s Haley Wilkinson tips the ball across the net as Williamstown’s Kyndra Johnson tries to defend during a triangular match Thursday. The visiting defending Class A state champion Yellowjackets swept the Wildcats and St. John Central to improve to 25-5. (Photo by Jay W. Bennett)
Williamstown’s Georgie Inman manages to keep the ball alive during Thursday’s triangular match at Wood County Christian. The visiting defending Class A state champion Yellowjackets swept the Wildcats and St. John Central to improve to 25-5. (Photo by Jay W. Bennett)
Wood County Christian’s Haley Wilkinson tips the ball across the net as Williamstown’s Kyndra Johnson tries to defend during a triangular match Thursday. The visiting defending Class A state champion Yellowjackets swept the Wildcats and St. John Central to improve to 25-5. (Photo by Jay W. Bennett)
Williamstown’s Georgie Inman manages to keep the ball alive during Thursday’s triangular match at Wood County Christian. The visiting defending Class A state champion Yellowjackets swept the Wildcats and St. John Central to improve to 25-5. (Photo by Jay W. Bennett)
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WILLIAMSTOWN -- Defending Class A state champion Williamstown made the short trek to Wood County Christian here Thursday night and swept the host Wildcats and St. John Central to improve to 25-5.
The Yellowjackets of head coach Rachelle Cole, who were originally set to compete at Hurricane, routed the Irish 25-4 and 25-7 after the host Wildcats opened the triangular with a 25-6 and 25-7 triumph.
In the final showdown, the Wildcats (17-4) were more than competitive but fell to the 'Jackets by scores of 25-14 and 25-18.
"They were a really good team," coach Cole said of the Wildcats. "There was a lot of good volleys. We're still a little rusty in some spots. It's homecoming week so we haven't gotten true good practice much."
The Wildcats fell behind 9-2 to Williamstown in the opening set as head coach Naddine Border called a timeout following a Keatyn Haynes ace. The hosts closed to within 10-7 thanks in part to a Haley Wilkinson kill and a Camryn Yoho ace, but Payton Woodard served for 10 straight points for a 21-7 bulge that finally ended when Skylar Wilkinson put one down from a Rowyn Wharton assist.
Kiersten Kerby made it 22-8 'Jackets following a downed spike and Claire Strobl's kill via a Riley Landis assist finished off set point.
Consecutive aces by Wharton got the Wildcats going in set two and the hosts still led 11-8 when Kylee Border's kill gave Sophia Thibault a service tally. Although Kamryn Haynes' ace tied it at 12, Williamstown didn't take the lead for good until Riah Sprouse's kill from a Kyndra Johnson assist made it 18-17. Landis served for the final four tallies and that included match point thanks to a Strobl block on Wharton.
"They are really kind and they are really sweet. We enjoyed having them here," coach Border said of the Irish, who never had a lead and watched Yoho serve seven straight aces in the second set.
Becca Shamblin led WHS with a match-high seven kills while Woodard added five downed spikes against the Wildcats. Johnson, Woodard and Keatyn Haynes had five aces apiece versus the Irish, who received a pair of kills from Hannah Grady. Georgie Inman and Kamryn Haynes made nine digs apiece for the 'Jackets against the Wildcats.
"They are a great group of girls and I think one of our biggest strengths is that they love each other," coach Border said of her squad, which plays host at 6 p.m. Tuesday to Beallsville in an Ohio Valley Athletic Conference 1A semifinal.
"When they make mistakes they don't hate on each other and they keep lifting each other up and encouraging each other. I think we can be competitive with anyone. They've got the skills to do it so it's just getting over that hump. They'll keep on keeping on."
Contact Jay Bennett at jbennett@newsandsentinel.com