NWOAL VOLLEYBALL … Peighton Manning looks for a kill for Swanton in a four-set win over the Indians. (PHOTO BY JACOB KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
By: Jesse Davis
WAUSEON (September 12, 2023) – After a close first-set loss, the Swanton Bulldogs ran the table for a 3-1 win in Tuesday night’s NWOAL volleyball match on the road against the Wauseon Indians.
The first set was neck and neck throughout, with both teams trading points including a trade of back-to-back four-point runs which saw an ace from Indian senior Braelyn Rupp and a kill from Bulldog senior Mackenzie Secory as well as errors on both sides that brought the score to 13-11 Wauseon.
In the last third of the set, Wauseon came back to post nine points to Swanton’s three, propelled by aces from Kristin Pratt and Jaley Lowe as well as kills from Ellie Stuber, Natalie Stevens, and Johanna Tester, to narrowly win the set 25-22.
Swanton picked up steam in the second set with two kills and a spike from Maddie Smith, a pair of kills from Lexi Faber, and kills from Hannah Crouse, Peighton Manning, and Mackenzie Secory to bring the score to 8-5.
Despite strong showings from Shelbi Leija with three kills, two from Stevens, and singles from Marin Leatherman, Ella Hageman, and Stuber, the Indians were unable to hold off an onslaught from the Bulldogs which saw three three-point runs and a four-point run, including a spike, kill, and ace from Smith as Swanton took the second set 25-15.
Smith came out blazing for the Bulldogs in the third set, racking up five kills during a massive nine-point run, bringing the score to 10-2.
A service error by Swanton’s Lillyanna Valderas as well as a pair of Wauseon kills by Stevens and one each by Tester, Ava Kovar, and Stuber on top of a blocked attack attempt from Bulldog outside hitter Secory were matched by a trio of two-point runs by Swanton, maintaining their lead at 16-9.
A six-point Bulldog run all but sealed the deal, with a service error by Wauseon junior Zara Wylie leading to a pair of aces and an unreturnable serve from sophomore Jordyn Ramirez as well as kills by Secory and Crouse, leaving the score at 22-9.
A service error by Ramirez and a kill by Stuber brought Wauseon their only additional points, with Swanton taking the set with a dominant 25-11.
Wauseon was unable to make any gains early in the fourth set, with Swanton posting runs of five, three, and four points on their way to a lead of 14-6 including a series of blocked shots and errors from the Indians.
However, Bulldog momentum stalled when a collision involving Faber and Ramirez during a dig attempt left the latter on the floor for some time.
Ramirez’ choice to stay in the game left Wauseon coach Mackenzie Fisette at odds with officials, believing their decision to replay the point – which the Indians would have taken – required Ramirez to sit out.
Despite Ramirez continuing to show signs of soreness throughout, she stayed on the court for the remainder of the set.
The injury provided an opening for Wauseon to stage a comeback, driving the score from 14-6 to 19-17 with runs of three and four points, including four kills from Tester.
Before they could fully capitalize on the opportunity, however, the Bulldogs came through with their own run of five on the way to a 25-18 victory, taking the set and match.
Bulldog Head Coach Kyle Borer was pleased with the outcome of the game despite the slow start and loss in the first set.
“There were just too many unforced errors, we were hitting the ball all over the place – a lot of hitting errors, we missed too many serves,” Borer said. “We changed the lineup up the next three sets … and played the way we were capable of.”
According to Borer, he had the trainer check Ramirez out after her collision with Faber before allowing her to stay in the game.
“At first we didn’t know what it was, if it was (her) head or shoulder or something like that, but she just got the wind knocked out of her,” he said.
“I’m not going to take her out unless I have to, so if she says she’s okay I’m going to give her the benefit of the doubt.”
Swanton d. Wauseon 22-25, 25-15, 25-11, 25-18
Swanton (8-2, 2-1 NWOAL) – Maddie Smith: 33/40 hitting, 18 kills, 13/14 serving; Alexa Faber 19/19 serve receiving, 13 digs, 26/27 hitting, 5 kills; Jordyn Ramirez: 17/18 serve receiving, 10 digs, 14/16 serving; Samantha Nelson: 96/101 setting, 38 assists
Wauseon (2-6, 1-2 NWOAL) – no statistics
Junior Varsity: Swanton, 25-23, 25-23
Freshman: Wauseon, 25-7, 25-20
Jesse can be reached at jesse@thevillagereporter.com
