ASSIST LEADER … Grace Hastings (above) had a team-high 34 assists to pace the Blackbirds in a win over Fayette.
PHOTOS BY JACOB KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
FRONT LINE PLAY … Fayette’s Kennedy Kunkle (#4) is challenged at the net while going for the kill.
By: Joe Blystone
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
WEST UNITY (October 15, 2025) Pettisville played like a fine-tuned race car, and coach April Beck did her best Danica Patrick imitation as the driver, as her Blackbirds sped past Fayette 25-11, 25-15, and 25-8 to win a Division VII Sectional final at Hilltop.
The Blackbirds came out hitting on all gears as Naomi Richer, Miriam Richer, Addison Davis, and Courtney Wiemken all registered kills or blocks for points to pace Pettisville to a quick 13-5 lead.
Reilly Bailey’s two kills kept Fayette within 17-10, but Naomi Richer hit the turbo switch from the left side. Richer ripped board burners four times and Macy Hoylman tipped another to help Pettisville finish off the first set.
Naomi Richer got off right at the green light in the second with three more rapid-fire bombs, then setter Grace Hastings took over. Hastings rattled off three consecutive aces to bolt the Blackbirds up 6-1.
“Grace is like our glue to the program,” Beck said. “She runs the offense for us. She runs plays, she looks at the hitters, and makes sure everyone is ready to go.
“She keeps track of the lineup out there, and she is a great ace server. She doesn’t get a lot of recognition, but without her, we wouldn’t be where we are at.”
Fayette (1-21) fought back as Kennedy Kunkle snapped off an ace, Ellie Williams scored another, then Kelsie Storrs pushed a pair into the deep corners to bring Fayette back to a 16-13 deficit.
Again, here came Naomi. Five times the senior hitter hammered kills, including a thunderous first-ball explosion to help her team score nine of the last 11 points of the set.
With the exception of a pair of Kunkle aces, the third set was all Pettisville. Richer’s four kills started it off, but then Davis tipped a pair into no-mans-land, then with the Pettisville student section serenading Hoylman with the chants of “Happy Birthday’, and “Birthday Girl”, the senior middle nailed four aces to pace the Blackbirds to the finish line.
“Macy was super excited about her 18th birthday today, and she wanted to get 18 serves in there,” Beck chortled. “She is a very aggressive player, hard worker, and a good right side for us, but her specialty is her serving.”
Pettisville (14-9) now plays Hilltop (17-6) Monday night at Archbold in a district semifinal.