Albion downs rival Medina; Roy-Hart stays undefeated in N-O volleyball

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Jillian LeBaron returns a serve as Madison Muckle backs up the play during the Purple Eagles home court win over rival Medina this evening.

Earning league victory No. 1, Albion downed rival Medina 25-16, 17-25, 25-20 and 25-18 in a Niagara-Orleans volleyball match this evening at Albion.

Albion grabbed the opening set 25-16 as Jillian LeBaron had a run of six straight service points (15-20).

Medina knotted the match by taking the second set 25-17 as Madison Sanders served up points 2-5 and 15-20.

However, Albion regained the lead for good by taking the third set 25-20 as Anna Grillo served points 6-12 including four aces and LeBaron 21-24 including three aces.

The Purple Eagles then closed out the match by taking the fourth set 25-18.

Leading by narrow 18-16 margin, Albion locked up the win as Grillo had a kill for point 19, Madison Muckle an ace for point 20, Grillo an ace for point 24 and Melia Prince a kill for the set and match winning 25th point.

Medina had cut the deficit to 17-16 after a run of four straight service points by Maya Anderson the last two of which were polished off by kills by Heschke.

LeBaron finished with 10 kills, 8 aces and 28 digs, Grillo 7 aces and 30 digs, Alya Villaneuva 34 digs and Hanna Kumalac 18 assists.

Albion is now 1-4 and Medina 0-5 in N-O action.

Roy-Hart 25-25-25, Akron 18-14-20
Defending champion Roy-Hart improved to 5-0 with a 25-18, 25-14, 25-20 win over Akron which slips to 2-3.

Grace Pearl had 9 kills, Lauren Snyder 7 kills and Raegan Kern 6 kills for Roy-Hart.

Medina’s Maya Anderson tips the ball over the net as Alivia Dumrese (5) and Alya Villanueva (4) defend for Albion.

Albion’s Melia Prince sends the ball over the net as Karlee Cau defends for Medina.

Medina’s Caliyah St. Louis spikes as Albion’s Hanna Kumalac waits to make the return.