Staff report
JACKSON CENTER — The Jackson Center Lady Tigers appear to be sending a message to the rest of the area in the early going this volleyball season.
The Lady Tigers reeled off their third straight win Thursday, and that 3-0 mark includes wins over perennial powers Versailles and Marion Local. Marion is the latest victim, the Lady Tigers dominating the Lady Flyers in three 25-17, 25-16, 15-12.
“It’s a good start to the season,” said head coach Kim Metz. “I wanted the kids to go out and play hard because we knew Marion Local was going to bring it. The kids played well and it was a real team effort. But we’re far from finished, so we have to remain on task.”
Cassie Meyer led the way with 13 kills, four aces and 16 digs for the Lady Tigers. Payton Esser had 18 digs and served three aces, Kamryn Elchert handed out 23 assists and added seven digs. Pauline Meyer had seven kills and five digs, Christen Ware had five kills and Erin Metz added four.
Marion Local salvaged half the evening by taking the junior varsity game in two.
Anna evens mark
ANNA — The Anna Lady Rockets evened their record at 1-1 with a 25-19, 25-16, 25-19 victory over visiting Celina in a non-league test Thursday at Anna.
The win evens Anna’s mark at 1-1 on the season heading to Covington Monday. Marion Local is also 1-1.
Anna had a balanced hitting attack, with Kennedey Glover leading with eight kills and Sarah Bettinger and Kylie Kirtley adding six apiece.
Eliabeth Landis dished out 28 assists, and Carly Becker and Mackenzie Wells had 10 assists apiece.
Becker also had four aces.
Loramie beats NB
FORT LORAMIE — The defending state champion Fort Loramie Lady Redskins went to 3-2 on the young season with a 3-0 win over New Bremen in non-league volleyball Thursday.
The scores were 25-15, 25-20, 28-26.
Caleigh Barhorst had 18 kills to lead the Lady Redskins, and Maeve Hilgefort and Brooke Ruhenkamp had five apiece.
Maddie Brandewie had 26 assists, Barhorst 17 digs and Taylor Ernst 11 digs.
“We have had two tough matches this week and to win them both is a credit to the toughness the girls are developing,” said Loramie coach John Rodgers. “Not everyone’s name may show up in the stats but it was total team effort tonight.”
Loramie also won the JV game.
Russia goes to 3-0
RUSSIA — The Russia girls went to 3-0 on the season with a tough 3-0 win over visiting Bradford Thursday.
The Lady Raiders won 25-22, 25-22, 25-21.
For the Lady Raiders, Rachel Heuing had eight kills, Cassie Pleiman 13 digs, Whitney Pleiman 11 digs, Katie Swartz 13 assists, Christina Gaerke two solo blocks, and Swartz and Chloe Sherman three aces each.
Russia also won the JV game 25-10, 15-18.
Lady Jets win 2nd
COVINGTON — Fairlawn went to 2-0 on the season with a 3-0 win over Covington on the road in non-league play Thursday.
Audrey Francis had 13 kills, 17 digs and two aces for the Lady Jets. Paige Vondenheuvel added eight kills and six digs, Mollie Roe had six kills, and Chelsea Brautigam finished with 25 assists.
Fairlawn also won the JV game 2-0.
Knoxville beats SM
ST. MARYS — New Knoxville upped its record to 3-2 on the season with a road win over St. Marys Thursday 25-22, 25-11, 25-22.
The Lady Rangers were led by Kenzie Schroer, who had 37 assists, five kills, 13 digs and three blocks.
Madison Lammers had 19 kills and 13 digs, Rachel Leffel had eight kills, Shayna Bierlein six kills, five digs and two aces, Caitlyn Lammers added five kills and three blocks, and Abby Lagemann had 18 digs.
