By CHRIS BROOKS, sports editor, wellsvillesports.com
ALLEGANY — In the Swamp on Wednesday, the Lions of Wellsville started with a magnificent start against Allegany-Limestone. Not once, but twice during the match. But each time, the Gators have found a response each time.
Their last was a strong finish in what was a five-set affair between the two clubs to close out the calendar year, as the Gators bounced back from a fourth-set defeat to deliver a big win to capture the overall victory against the Lions in what was a 11-25, 25-15, 25-22, 16-25, 15-7 decision to claim their fourth win in their first six games.
Despite the defeat, Wellsville (2-4) saw a strong night from Xavier Scott on offense, as he posted a team-high 10 kills to pair with three blocks. Riley Graves chipped in with a big nine-kill helping of his own, while Lucius Griggs added in three kills and three aces to continue fueling a fire for the Lions that they overcame after a tough third-set defeat to the Gators to force a fifth and final set in the endgame.
The Lions will look to bounce back after the holiday break back home, as they host Arkport/Canaseraga in a 6 p.m. first serve on January 3.
Genesee Valley/Belfast 3, Friendship/Scio 1
SCIO — After both teams countered with wins in the first two sets, Genesee Valley/Belfast was able to overcome a tough second-set defeat to the hands of host Friendship/Scio and turn it into back-to-back wins to close the night out on Wednesday, as they picked up their three wins needed to clinch the victory to head back to .500 entering the break, scoring the 25-16, 22-25, 25-19, 25-21 win.
Leading the charge on the attack for Genesee Valley/Belfast (3-3) were Sean Mahon and Canaan Sullivan, who combined to record 24 kills, with Mahon leading the team with 14 of them to pair with two aces and two blocks, while Sullivan had 10 to go with one more ace from the back line. Setter Dominic Marra helped make it all happen for the offense at the front of the net, handing out 29 assists while recording three additional aces.
On the other side of the net, Friendship/Scio (1-5) was led by Jordan White, who posted six team-high kills to go with three aces and two denials. Max Morris was not far along, adding in five kills and four blocks, while setter Lawson Ector had 12 assists to hand out to couple with three more kills on the attack.
Both teams are now off until January 3 as they hit the road for their next games beginning in a 6 p.m. first serve, with Genesee Valley/Belfast paying a visit to Bolivar-Richburg, while Friendship/Scio heads to Cuba-Rushford.
