Brian Hagberg
WARREN, Pa. – Warren got back in the win column and celebrated its two seniors with a 3-0 sweep over visiting Erie on Tuesday.
The Dragons got off to a “slower start” than they would have liked, but once they got going rolled to a 25-15, 25-18, and 25-7 win over the Royals.
Seniors Carly Beers and Kirsten Johnson were solid at the net again and were honored for their contributions prior to the match. Beers finished with five kills, 10 digs, and two aces. Johnson had four kills, four digs, and two aces.
“The seniors played well as usual in front of a terrific flannel panel and the home crowd,” Warren coach Mike Dolan said. “Carly once again filled up the stat sheet with her all-around game and Kirsten patrolled the net and did a great job at the service line. Both of them have meant so much to the program, Carly as a 3-year starter on the right side and Kirsten as a big part of the varsity success these past 2 seasons especially.”
Warren got strong performances from its underclassmen as well.
Alexia Bowers had seven kills and two aces, Kylie Fehlman had six kills and two blocks, Maddy Jones had six kills, four digs, and five aces, and Maddie Nosel had three kills. Summer Lucks had 21 digs and two aces, and Lindsay Madigan had 27 assists and two aces.
Dolan said a big part of Beers’ and Johnson’s contribution has been their leadership and the example they have set. Both traits the Dragons will need to continue as they wrap up the regular season with a tough match on Thursday and head into the playoffs next week.
“(Beers and Johnson) have set a terrific example for the underclassmen with their dedication in the off-season and leadership this season,” Dolan said. “We will need both of them to continue to play that way as we head toward our final Region game on Thursday against a very good Meadville team and as we prepare for playoffs next week. Tonight it was maybe a little slower start for the team overall than we would have liked but they all recognized it and finished strong.”
Warren won the junior varsity match 25-5, 25-22.
Lilly Newton had 6 kills and 3 aces, Lily Walker had 6 digs and 6 aces, Sophie Walker had 3 digs, Maddie Nosel had 3 kills and 2 digs, Delaney Wright had 3 assists, Lauren Shattuck had 4 digs and 1 kill, Lauren Fajbik had 2 kills, and Elissa Errett had 3 assists.
