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Union Local spikers roll to sweep of Martins Ferry

MARTINS FERRY – After an uncharacteristic start to the first game of the night Union Local’s unbeaten volleyball team found its bearings, took over at the net and never looked back in a quick sweep of home-standing Martins Ferry.

Sophomore Torre Kildow was nearly unstoppable at the net, providing 19 of the Jets’ 35 kills, and the Jets never let the Purple Riders get into any kind of rhythm in rolling to a straight set, 25-13, 25-9, 25-9 victory over Martins Ferry at Tolbert Gymnasium.

Coach Jen Olson’s Riders (4-8) jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead in the opener and battled through six ties and a pair of lead changes until the score hit 10-10. However, from that point on it was all Union Local (11-0) for not only the rest of the first game, but also the remainder of the night.

The Jets finished on a 15-3 run, with Alleigh Cheatham getting the final five points in serve, helped by three Kildow kills at the end.

“It was a little chilly in the gym, so I really think it took us a little while to get used to that,” Union Local Head Coach Kaye Sechrest admitted. “And you never know what is going to happen when you play here in Martins Ferry.”

Things only got worse for Martins Ferry taking the court for game two. After a pair of early deadlocks had the score at 2-2 Union Local ran off the next eight points with Kildow again being a giant thorn the Purple Riders’ side, twice recording three consecutive kills during the run.

Ferry managed to pull within seven points on three different occasions, but Union Local again scored the final five points, this time with Chloe Doud, who finished with six aces, in service, to gain the 25-9 win.

The third, and final, game again started out tight at 3-3 before an 8-1 Jets’ rally pushed the margin to 12-4 and had the visitors rolling towards the sweep. Up 20-8, Union Local this time score five of the final six points to put things away and keep its unbeaten record intact.

“I have said forever that it all starts with the pass,” Sechrest commented. “And with a great setter in Casey Kildow and three girls that are very solid hitters up front we usually do pretty well at the net. It really all begins with Casey, she is so smart and does such a great job mixing things up.

“We have also been trying some new things and the girls are working so hard. These girls play so well together and are so focused. They want to be in the gym, and in the weight room, and they want to continue to get better. All in all, they really enjoy each other and being with each other and it shows on the court.”

For Olson’s Purple Riders Monday night’s contest served as a learning experience as much as anything else.

“We have two seniors and a very young team overall,” Olson admitted. “But it’s nice for the younger kids to get exposure to games like this. Union Local is very good and they are a hard team to block. We haven’t and probably won’t, play many teams that are that tough at the net.,

“At the same time, I am seeing a big improvement in the girls from the past few weeks when they have really been mentally down. It was nice to see them come out and play so well early in that first game.”

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