MARTINS FERRY — When it came to Thursday’s volleyball match between St. Clairsville and Martins Ferry, there was a common theme in each set. The Red Devils would start off with a comfortable lead only to see Martins Ferry continuously chip away at it. However, in the end of each set, St. Clairsville didn’t break and was able to take down Martins Ferry in consecutive sets, 25-21, 25-19 and 25-17 at Martins Ferry High School.

“We have real good starts, then we kind of get a little bit too relaxed and that’s one thing that we’re working on is staying consistent and consistently getting the kills in and the aces in,” St. Clairsville coach Christa Truchan said. “We’re working hard at maintaining that high level of play at all times and not relaxing.”

In the first set, the Red Devils held a 22-14 lead. However, the Purple Riders reeled off seven consecutive points to get within one, 22-21. St. Clairsville, calmed down and captured the next three points to take the first set.

The second set saw a similar scenario. As St. Clairsville boasted an 11-4 lead, Martins Ferry began to dig itself out of a hole again. The Purple Riders eventually tied the score at 16-16.

After alternating points, St. Clairsville went on a 7-0 run to put to rest any chance of a comeback.

“We are working to increase our level of play,” Truchan said. “We have to work on our speed and consistency. We saw some things (Thursday) that reminded us of things that we have to get back to practice.”

In the third set, the Red Devils got off to their best start of the night scoring 12 of the first 14 points.

After boasting another 10-point lead (15-5), the Purple Riders, again, put together one final rally. And like in the previous two sets, Martins Ferry was within striking distance as they scored 11 of the next 14 points to get within three, 19-16.

However, the Red Devils went on a 6-1 run to secure the match.

“A young team, they came out fighting for everything they had,” Matins Ferry coach Jennifer Olson said. “They fought back when they were down. I’m very proud of how they played (Thursday) even with some of the minor errors. Those are things that we can adjust at practice. I’m not upset with how we played, I’m just disappointed because I know they can play better.”

Alexis Thoburn tallied four aces and eight kills for the Red Devils while Chloe Biacarelli had eight kills and eight assists.

Lydia Wees compiled six kills and four blocks and Shae Brookover dished out 15 assist.

For the Purple Riders, Shelby Thomas had seven points while Suzanna Bruney secured four points and three digs.

Hannah Meekes tallied seven points and Rylie Doyle had six digs.