Martins Ferry Defears St. Clairsville In Four Sets

Purple Riders Dominate At Net While Improving To 2-0

MARTINS FERRY - Monday night's high school volleyball match between visiting St. Clairsville and Martins Ferry reminded Purple Riders head coach Jaela Koller of when she played.

"What that was right there was bringing it back to a good old-fashioned hometown rivalry," Koller said of watching her squad move to 2-0 with a four-set victory over visiting St. Clairsville before a raucous crowd inside Tolbert Gymnasium. "I remember having rivalries like that back in 1999. I loved seeing the fans on both sides cheering and the girls competing. That's probably the largest student section I've seen here in my eight years.

"That's what volleyball is all about."

The Purple Riders won the first set 25-17 before dropping a 24-26 decision in set two. However, they rebounded to hold off the Red Devils in the third set, 25-21, before escaping with a 25-21 nod in the fourth set.

"We still have some things to work on, but the girls are working hard in practice and it is paying off," Koller added.

"It was a great match. We just couldn't keep it close enough, but we fought to the end and that's what I'm most proud of," St. Clairsville head coach Steve Harris said. "We had too many unforced errors and they played a really good match."

The duo of senior Giana Chirpas and junior Nicole Hammerquist controlled the net. Chirpas recorded 17 kills and four blocks, while Hammerquist added 13 kills and a trio of blocks.

"When they are in the middle they know they have a role to play, and it's a big one," Koller said of Chirpas and Hammerquist. "They come out on top. They come out dynamic and do everything they can to help this team. We've been working on a lot of middle work during our practices."

The pivotal third set saw Martins Ferry run out to a 9-3 lead. It increased that margin to 22-12 before St. Clairsville (2-1) ran off seven straight points to cut the deficit to three, 22-19. However, a Hammerquist kill and long return by the Red Devils gave the Purple Riders set-point. St. Clairsville added two points, but an all-out effort by Martins Ferry libero S.J. Koller allowed the hosts to seal the deal.

With the ball headed out of bounds off a teammate and St. Clairsville ready to make it 24-22, the senior dove and was able to keep the ball alive that eventually led to a 2-1 advantage for Martins Ferry.

"I don't give SJ enough credit, it's hard when she's your step-daughter, but God love her. She plays her heart out every game, every set," Coach Koller said. "She's not afraid to leave some skin on the court."

SJ Koller finished with 31 digs and three assists, while senior Maddie Lucas was steady with nine kills and 20 digs.

"Olivia played lights-out tonight," the coach said of the junior who charted 46 sets and six digs. She also came up big at the service line with eight aces. "I couldn't ask for anything else from her tonight."

St. Clairsville didn't keep stats during the match.

The Red Devils are right back in action tonight when they welcome Harrison Central to John Jenkins Court. Martins Ferry remains at home Wednesday night as Wheeling Central visits.