Albion bests Medina in N-O volleyball finale

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 19 October 2026 at 9:14 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Jillian LeBaron sets set to return service during the Purple Eagles home court win over Medina this evening as Kasia Robinson backs up the play.

Albion closed out the Niagara-Orleans League volleyball season on a high note by downing visiting rival Medina in straight sets 25-19, 25-16, 25-12 this evening.

Melia Prince had 5 kills, 4 aces and 2 blocks, Anna Grillo 9 aces and 4 kills, Jillian LeBaron 6 kills, 3 aces and 2 blocks, Kate Viza 3 kills and 2 aces, Carley Smith 4 kills and Charlotte Pike 4 aces and 11 assists for the Purple Eagles.

For Medina, Sam Heschke had 2 aces and Jenna Cecchini 2 kills.

In the opening set Prince served up points 18-21 including an ace to put Albion up 21-14.

Medina did rally back to within two at 21-19 as Payton Denniston scored points 16-19 including an ace but the Mustangs could get no closer.

Viza closed out the set for the Purple Eagles scoring points 23-25 registering aces for the final two.

Albion gradually built up a 21-12 lead in the second set as Pike served up points 1-4 with two aces and Prince tallied 18-21 also with a pair of aces.

Smith registered an ace for the set winning point for the Purple Eagles.

Leading 16-12, Albion closed out the third set and the match as Grillo put together a marathon run of 9 straight service points (17-25) including 6 aces.

Albion finishes the N-O season at 3-7 and Medina at 1-9 with that lone win being a 5 set victory over the Purple Eagles earlier in the season at Medina.

Roy-Hart d. Akron in 5
Roy-Hart finished the N-O season at 5-5 after outlasting Akron (5-4) in 5 sets 25-15, 17-25, 25-20, 21=25, 15-5.

Lauren Snyder had 15 kills for the Lady Rams as Tessa Degenhardt and Liliana Stanton 8 each.

Newfane d. Wilson in 5
Newfane, which has already locked up the N-O title, downed rival Wilson in five sets 24-26, 25-18, 25-17, 16-25, 25-10 this evening to improve to 9-0.

Wilson finishes the N-O season at 6-4.

Newfane will close out the season against Akron (5-4) on Wednesday.

Cassidy Janas akes a return for Medina as Hailey Moore (2) and Sam Heschke back up the play.