Albion spikers top Medina in opener

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Chanyce Powell spikes over the Medina duo of Molley Gross (10) and Je’ne Brown (14) during the host Purple Eagles Niagara-Orleans League season opening win over the Mustangs this evening.

Coming on strong after slow starts in each of the first two sets, Albion opened defense of its Niagara-Orleans League volleyball title with a 25-15, 25-18, 25-13 victory over visiting rival Medina this evening.

Meghan Hurley had 8 spiking kills and 2 service aces, Kelsee Soule 6 kills and 2 aces and Chanyce Powell 6 kills and 5 aces to lead the way for Albion.

Carley Schultz had 5 kills for Medina as Je’ne Brown added 2 kills, Lexi Neuman 2 aces and Lexi Sargent 1 ace and 1 kill.

Medina’s Je’ne Brown spikes over Chanyce Powell.

Medina jumped out to a 6-0 lead at the outset of the first set as Lexie Sargent served up five points in a row, a run highlighted by two spiking kills by Brown.

However, Albion battled back to take the lead for good at 15-9 as Powell served up 7 straight points (4-10), a run which featured kills by Kaitlyn VanSkiver, Soule and Aleah Foos. VanSkiver followed up by serving up points 12-15, a run capped off by an ace.

Albion closed out the set as Soule served up points 19-21 and Hurley 23-25 including aces for points 23 and 25.

The second set likewise saw Medina jump out to an 8-4 lead as Neuman served up points 1-4, including two aces, and Schultz scored points 7 and 8.

Ashlee Bocach returns a serve for Albion.

Albion though again came battling back to claim the win. Back-to-back aces by Powell ignited that rally which was capped off by back-to-back kills by Soule for points 24 and 25.

Keeping the momentum, the Purple Eagles then led all the way in the third set which was highlighted by a six point run of service points by Ashlee Bocach (15-20). Powell had two kills during that run and a total of 5 in the set.

“We got off to a slow start but we finished strong and that’s the big thing,” said Albion Coach Ann Capacci.

Albion next hosts CSAT at 6:30 p.m. Friday. The Purple Eagles then host their annual tournament on Saturday beginning at 8 a.m.

Emily Kams bump sets for Medina.

Roy-Hart 25-25-25
CSAT 12-6-9
Beatrice Bacon had 24 service points including 7 aces and Olivia Vorholzer 22 points with 7 aces to lead Roy-Hart to the straight set victory over CSAT. Bacon also had 4 kills and Savoy Laubacker 3.

Oakfield-Alabama 25-25-25-25
Lyndonville 27-16-4-13
Justina Pruski had 16 assists and 3 aces; Hannah Scarborough 7 aces and 6 kills; Kylie Schlagenhauf 2 aces and 7 kills and Brianna Smith 7 aces to lead the way for Oakfield-Alabams in the come-from-behind four set Genesee Region League win over Lyndonville.

Cierra Riley had 5 kills and Paige Gardner 2 aces and 2 assists for Lyndonville.