ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Union Local’s visit to John Jenkins Court on Thursday evening was full of challenges. But, just as they had before 14 other times this season, the Jets found a way to fly away with the ‘W.’

Casey Kildow registered 25 assists, 14 digs and 10 kills as UL improved to 15-0 with a 25-23, 25-14, 25-19 victory against St. Clairsville to complete the season sweep of the Red Devils and give the Jets the Buckeye 8 South crown.

“They just don’t lose their composure,” Jets head coach Kaye Sechrest reiterated after downing her alma mater.

“We came back in that first set and won it. In the second we kind of rolled on them a little and, in the third, they gave us a fight. We just kind of stepped in there and played.

“It’s hard to play in this gym no matter what sport it is.”

UL also swept St. C. in Morristown a few weeks ago, but this time the Red Devils put up more of a fight, indicative of the team’s improved play as of late.

“I was proud of them because it’s kind of been an uphill climb from where we’ve been,” Red Devils head coach Christa Truchan said. “I told them (after the match) to carry that on.”

The Jets surged to a 7-3 lead in the opening set only to watch St. C. close to within two later at 11-9. A point by Baylee Rex followed by a Kildow ace put UL in front 17-9 but, again, the Red Devils, rallied.

Eventually, St. Clairsville tied things at 22-22 when Paige Sefsick and Katie Miller combined to stuff a UL shot at the net and send it to the floor. The Red Devils grabbed the lead moments later when a Jets’ shot went long. But UL scored the final three points to prevail.

“St. Clairsville has improved since the first time we played them,” Sechrest said.

That notion proved true again in the third set as the Red Devils stayed with UL early. St. C. drew to within 9-8, but a Rex point sparked a 4-0 run that ended with a Keira Gregor ace.

After St. Clairsville trimmed its deficit to three moments later, the Jets went on a 6-0 run that all but sealed things.

“We needed this,” Sechrest said. “We’ve had some easier matches here lately. I think we needed a test, and we’ll have a couple next week with Barnesville and Monroe Central. We’re just taking things one match at a time.”

Rex added eight digs and six kills for the Jets. Chloe Doud had 13 digs and five kills; Gregor had six kills; Lacy Bilyeu collected 11 digs; and Torre Kildow had 11 kills, 13 assists and eight digs.

“We stress it daily that we can’t get complacent,” Sechrest said. “You have to improve your game and you have to improve yourself.”

Sefsick finished with 12 digs and 10 kills for the Red Devils, while Chloe Biancarelli had 13 assists. Shae Brookover had 10 assists and seven digs.