Athens Junior High Volleyball 8th A Battles Back to Defeat Towanda in Three Sets
By: Stephanie Dougherty / September 26, 2024
The Athens Wildcats 8th A volleyball team took on Towanda in an intense three-set match, showing yet again their resilience and determination.
After a challenging first set, the Wildcats found their rhythm and secured the victory in a thrilling contest that went the distance.
The Wildcats started strong in the first set but stumbled at the midpoint as Towanda went on a six-point run, putting Athens in a tough spot. Down 23-18, the Wildcats fought back with a crucial side-out and a remarkable serving run by Jonica Walters, who put up three consecutive points to tighten the score. Despite their best efforts in a series of intense rallies, Athens narrowly fell to Towanda, 26-28.
Standout performances in set one included Kayla Forbes and Madison Sinsabaugh, who each tallied three points including an ace. Walters led the scoring effort with five points including three aces, while Addison Moss chipped in four points including two aces. Sinsabaugh, Walters, and Olivia Frantz also contributed at the net with key kills.
Fueled by the momentum from their late comeback in set one, Athens came out firing in the second set, dismantling Towanda 25-11 in a dominant performance. Forbes led the charge with seven points, including three aces. Sinsabaugh continued her strong play, adding five points including three aces, while Emilynn McQuay, Moss, and Hailey Smith all contributed to the scoring effort. Frantz showed incredible athleticism with a diving second touch save off a challenging pass to keep the Wildcats ahead.
At the net, Walters was unstoppable in the set, racking up four kills. McQuay added a powerful tip for a kill, and Smith provided two more kills from the middle hitter position, solidifying the team's march to set 3.
In the decisive third set, the Wildcats remained steady under pressure, pulling through in a nail-biter to win 15-13. Sinsabaugh led the final set with four points, including three aces, while Moss added two aces of her own. Walters, Lili Miller, and Forbes each contributed a point to help Athens secure the victory. Walters added another kill, and Moss was a force at the net with three kills to cap off the win.
On the defensive side, it was a collective team effort while Sorana Marica, playing as libero, anchored the team with her steady play, keeping Athens in control during crucial moments.
The Athens 7th B team faced a tough Towanda squad and dropped both sets, 14-25 and 17-25. Despite the losses, several Wildcats had standout performances. Auriana Welch led the way with five points, including three aces, while Alayna Lackey added three points including an ace. Eden Fedorchak, Elizabeth Moss, and Natalie Yale each contributed an ace, with Yale, Lackey, and Lennox Schmoyer providing crucial kills at the net.
The Athens 8th A (8-2) and 7th B teams will see Wellsboro at home on Monday.
