Brian Hagberg
RIDGWAY, Pa. – Sheffield couldn’t maintain the momentum from a win in extra points in the second set and dropped a 5-set match at Ridgway on Thursday.
The Wolverines won the first two sets, including taking the second in extra points, but the Elkers grabbed the momentum and picked up a 17-25, 24-26, 25-14, 25-17, and 15-11 win.
“Ridgway kept getting stronger and stronger as the match went on, and we didn’t,” Sheffield coach Melissa Lemay said. “They were a little flat in warmups tonight, and I felt that we just didn’t have the intensity that we needed from start to finish.”
Kassidy Orinko had a double-double with 19 kills and 12 digs. She also added three blocks. Kadence Steffan had a double-double of her own with 19 assists and 14 digs.
A pair of underclassmen made big contributions as Madi Connolly had 13 digs and Peyton Wotorson had 12 assists.
“Kudos to sophomore Madi Connolly for stepping into a starting role at outside hitter in the absence of our senior starter,” Lemay said. “Freshman Emma Roell saw some varsity action tonight as well. It’s so exciting to have the depth on the bench that we have. There are nothing but good things in our future.”
Sheffield won the junior varsity match, 25-17 and 25-17.
Roell had seven kills and seven digs, and Wotorson added 11 assists.
“The JV team is looking good,” Lemay said. “Good movement and trying to run an in-system offense.”
MERCYHURST PREP 3, EISENHOWER 0
ERIE, Pa. – Oliva Kulyk and Addica Sperry each had nine kills to lift Mercyhurst Prep to a 3-0 (25-9, 26-24, 25-10) home win over Eisenhower.
Sperry added eight digs for the Lakers who also got 11 digs from Avery Ollinger and three aces from Lexi DiFuccia. Julia Seth ran the offense for Mercyhurst Prep with 25 set assists.
Kailee Morrison led the Knights with two kills, while Layla Edwards and Caroline Smyth, both freshman, added four blocks apiece.
