ATHENS OUTLASTS WELLSBORO IN FIVE-SET THRILLER
By: Tim Birney / October 13, 2020 / Photo: David Alliger
ATHENS — In a back-and-forth affair, Athens prevailed in a five-set
marathon over Wellsboro here Tuesday night in NTL volleyball action.
The
Lady Green Hornets opened with a 25-18 win in the first set, but the
Lady Wildcats bounced back with wins of 25-21, and 25-18. Wellsboro
forced a decisive fifth set with a 25-11 win in the fourth set.
Athens closed out the win with a 15-11 decision in the fifth set.
“We got off to a slow start and the match was a little bit of a roller-coaster ride … and I’m not even
sure
what happened the fourth game,” said Athens coach Heather Hanson.
“However, with the random runs of errors they turned it around and
fought back.
“Wellsboro did not let us get first-swing kills, we
had to fight and rally and keep going,” noted Hanson. “Both teams fought
hard it was a relentless match.
“Now, we see them (Wednesday) at their house,” she added. “I’m excited for tomorrow.”
Senior
Kayleigh Miller had 43 setter assists, 12 digs, and three service aces,
and senior Leah Liechty registered 26 kills and three aces to lead the
Lady Wildcats, while senior Taylor Field recorded 26 digs, and sophomore
Jenny Ryan had 11 kills and three digs.
Senior Kylie Jayne had
10 kills in the win, while junior Taylor Walker had seven digs and two
aces, senior Grayce Witherow added five digs, and two aces, and junior
Ally Martin chipped in with four kills and four digs.
Athens, now 7-3, travels to Wellsboro (6-2) Wednesday night.
About the Author
Tim Birney
Tim Birney is the founder / owner of River Road Media Group. He was born and raised in the Valley, graduating from Waverly High School in 1984.
Birney earned an Associate's Degree in Journalism from SUNY Morrisville in 1986 and a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism / Public Relations from Utica College of Syracuse University in 1988. He began his newspaper career at The Daily Review in Towanda in 1989, before moving on to The Evening Times in 1995. He spent more than 10 years at the Times, the last four as Managing Editor.
River Road Media Group includes five sites in "The Sports Reports" family that cover 24 school districts in five counties: Valley Sports Report (launched Aug. 10, 2009), Tioga County (NY) Sports Report (Aug. 13, 2018), and Northern Tier Sports Report (Aug. 31, 2020); Northern Tier West Sports Report (March 15, 2021) Southern Tier Sports Report (Aug. 16, 2021).
