OHS volleyball teams remains perfect in SVC with win over J-L
Both Onaway and Joburg were unbeaten in the Ski Valley Conference going into Tuesday’s varsity volleyball match at OHS. When the match ended, only Onaway was unbeaten.
The Cardinals recorded a sweep, defeating J-L, 25-22, 25-17, 25-17, improving to 6-0 in the SVC (37-6-3 overall) in the process. OHS is ranked fourth in the latest Class D poll.
Victories at Bellaire on Tuesday and at Mancelona on October 22 are the only thing standing between the Cards and a second straight unbeaten run through the conference.
Sara Fullerton led the way in the victory over Joburg with 10 kills, two blocks, four digs, and two aces. Mariah Ehrke recorded eight kills, 15 digs, and two aces in the win.
Lexi Szymoniak had seven kills, two blocks, and 13 digs, Taylor Ehrke had 26 assists, two kills, 11 digs, and two aces, Devin Bristley had three kills and 19 digs, and Elise Arkwood had four digs and four aces.
“We set a goal before the season to again go unbeaten in our conference, and this was a big step in accomplishing that goal,” said OHS coach Steve Watson.
“Joburg served well early and we didn’t receive the serve very well. We fell behind in the first set, but as the match went on I thought our skill took over.
“Joburg did a good job on our outside hitters, limiting them to just 11 kills, but I thought our middle hitters stepped up, getting 17 kills. That was key.”
The OHS JV dropped its match with J-L, 23-25, 27-29, and 15-8. Allison LaFave had two kills, a block, and three aces, Eleana Domke had two kills and three aces, Roxanne Kortman had three kills, and Tori March had two kills and three assists.
Three days earlier, the varsity Cardinals finished in second place at their home tournament, despite going unbeaten until the championship match.
In pool play, the Cards defeated Hillman (25-7 and 25-19) and Harbor Springs (25-15 and 25-7). That advanced them to gold pool play, where they defeated Cheboygan (25-15 and 25-20) and Boyne City (25-13 and 25-13).
Onaway then dominated Central Lake in the semis (25-8 and 25-14) before falling to Boyne City in a rematch in the finals, 26-28 and 22-25.
Three Cardinals were named to the six-player all-tournament team: Mariah Ehrke (60 kills, 37 digs, 13 aces), Szymoniak (23 kills, seven blocks, 40 digs, and seven aces), and Taylor Ehrke (82 assists, five kills, five blocks, 36 digs, 15 aces).
Fullerton had 16 kills, four blocks, 23 digs, and 12 aces, Bristley had 14 kills, 33 digs, and eight aces, Morganne Badgero had 12 digs, and Jade Galer had four kil
The OHS JV competed Saturday at a tournament at Rogers City, going 0-3-3 in pool play to see its day come to an end.
Onaway split with Posen (25-21, 21-25), Alcona (25-21, 23-25), and Rogers City (19-25, 25-24), but fell to Inland Lakes (23-25, 18-25), the Alpena JV (24-25, 16-25, and the Alpena freshmen (21-25, 21-25).
LaFave had five kills, a block, and four aces, Kortman had five kills and two blocks, March had eight assists, four kills, and eight aces, Vydailya Letts had seven assists and a block, and Vivian Hale had six kills and four aces. The JV is 11-15-7.
In addition to Tuesday’s contest at Bellaire, the volleyball teams will travel