By CHRIS BROOKS, sports editor, wellsvillesports.com
WELLSVILLE — After each team exchanged the first two sets to open the night, the Lions of Wellsville began to settle in for the last two sets on Tuesday, as they held off a pair of late Arkport/Canaseraga pushes to secure a four-set win in their return to action on their home floor, taking the 25-17, 20-25, 25-20, 25-20 decision.
Pacing the attack for the Lions (3-4) was Xavier Scott, who recorded seven kills to pair with eight digs on defense, six aces and two blocks at the front of the net. Lucius Griggs chipped in with six more kills of his own to couple with three digs and two aces, while setter Gavan Dickerson handed out 10 helpers to go with six digs, five aces and a pair of kills.
Arkport/Canaseraga was led by Noah Drovin and his eight-kill, five-ace evening.
Wellsville is back on the floor Thursday night with a 6 p.m. visit to Friendship/Scio in store.
Bolivar-Richburg 3, Genesee Valley/Belfast 0
RICHBURG — A dominant start followed by a close second set battle set the table for the Wolverines of Bolivar-Richburg, as they came away victorious in both instances to pace their return to action on Tuesday with a straight-set win over visiting Genesee Valley/Belfast, taking the 25-14, 25-23, 25-17 decision to record their fifth win in first seven games.
Heading the front of the pack for the Wolverines (5-2) was Ian Unfus, who recorded five kills, five aces, five blocks and five assists. Furthering the team’s cause along the way was Hunter Walp who was a force in front of the net with his four blocks, pairing them with three kills and three aces, while Jaeger Turybury added in additional help with his three kills, two blocks and two aces.
On the other side of the net, Genesee Valley/Belfast (3-4) saw Sean Mahon anchor the attack with his game-high 10 kills to go with one block. Canaan Sullivan provided five more kills and four aces, while Dominic Marra handed out 16 helpers to set everything up at the front of the net, contributing two kills and a block to help round off the scoring.
Both teams are back on the floor for 6 p.m. battles Thursday night, as Bolivar-Richburg pays a visit to the defending County champions at Cuba-Rushford, while Genesee Valley/Belfast heads back home to welcome in Allegany-Limestone.
Cuba-Rushford 3, Friendship/Scio 0
CUBA — The defending County champions were able to find a way to rebound from their first loss of the season right before the holiday break, as they returned to action on Tuesday and took care of business against Friendship/Scio with a strong straight-set victory on their home floor, taking the win by a 25-16, 25-13, 25-23 count.
Anderson Siegel was at the front of the line leading the Cuba-Rushford (6-1) offense with his five kills and five aces from the service line. Maddox Keller added in a solid effort of his own, chipping in with five aces of his own to pair with two kills. Setter Allen Fuller dished out 13 assists to help set everything up in the front, adding five kills and three aces along the way.
Friendship/Scio (1-6) was led by a four-block, two-kill evening from Max Morris.
Both teams are back on the floor for 6 p.m. contests on Thursday with the Rebels welcoming in Bolivar-Richburg, and Friendship/Scio heading back home to welcome in Wellsville.
Allegany-Limestone 3, Fillmore 0
FILLMORE — Although the Eagles of Fillmore were able to extend play in the third set, a powerful beginning issued by Allegany-Limestone wound up being the ultimate difference maker on Tuesday, as the Gators went over the road and returned home triumphant with a straight-set sweep of the hosts in green by taking the 25-13, 25-13, 27-25 decision.
Fillmore (1-7) was led by Henry Decker’s strong presence at the front of the net, recording four blocks. From the service line, Nathan Tanner helped the cause with four service points to go with two kills and two blocks, while Skylar Freeman had four more service points to collect alongside two more aces from the back.
The Eagles are off until Thursday night when they travel to Arkport/Canaseraga for a 6 p.m. contest.
Fillmore 75, Hinsdale 21
HINSDALE — You couldn’t ask for a better start for the Eagle of Fillmore to kick off the new calendar year on Tuesday, as they provided a 32-point shockwave right in the opening eight minute period to bring the hammer down on host Hinsdale almost immediately, setting the tone for what became a 75-21 road win.
Through an even balance up and down on the offensive, Fillmore (4-2) saw four different Eagles emerge with at least 10 points to fuel the attack. Leading the charge was Jonah Bialek, as he knocked down three of the team’s six three-pointers, en route to a game-high 13 points. Zach Sisson and Layton Sanasith each had 11 points, while Mitch Ward finished with 10.
Hinsdale (0-9) was led by a team-high nine point effort from Xander Pascucci. The Bobcats are off until Monday, when they visit Keshequa for a 7 p.m. tip-off.
Fillmore is now off until Friday night when they make their grand return back to The Rock, as they play their first home game of the new calendar year against the Panthers of Franklinville at 7:30 p.m.
Fillmore 32 15 19 9 – 75
Hinsdale 2 10 3 6 – 21
FILLMORE: Isaiah Sisson 2 1-2 5, Reid Cockle 1 0-0 2, Jack Cool 2 1-1 5, Brent Zubikowski 0 1-2 1, Jair Bialek 4 0-0 9, Marcus Wolfer 1 0-0 2, Luke Colombo 1 0-0 2, Mitch Ward 5 0-0 10, Zach Sisson 5 0-0 11, Jonah Bialek 5 0-2 13, Brayden Hennard 1 0-0 2, Layton Sanasith 4 2-4 11, Brandon Buck 1 0-0 2. Totals: 32 5-11 75.
HINSDALE: Xander Pascucci 4 0-1 9, Brad Bergstrom 2 0-0 6, Henry Schwartz 1 0-0 2, Cody Barton 2 0-0 4. Totals: 9 0-1 21.
3-point goals: Fillmore 6 (Jo. Bialek 3, Ja. Bialek, Sisson, Sanasith), Hinsdale 3 (Bergstrom 2, Pascucci).
Total Fouls: Fillmore 7, Hinsdale 10. Fouled out: None.
Avoca/Prattsburgh 34, Genesee Valley/Belfast 18
PRATTSBURGH — Through a quiet battle to open the night on Tuesday, host Avoca/Prattsburgh weaved their way past it and towards a strong first half finish against visiting Genesee Valley/Belfast, giving them just enough room to hold the fort down on defense in the second half to redeem an early season loss over the road with a 34-18 home win in Prattsburgh.
The Lady Titans navigated their way through a tough first quarter battle against Genesee Valley/Belfast (4-4) before the offense began to kick into high gear in the second, when a 12-5 run highlighted by an all-balanced attack came to fruition. The momentum was retained by the hosts in white and black to start the second half, as they essentially held their lead for good on defense, allowing just one third quarter point from their visiting opposition at the charity stripe.
Genesee Valley/Belfast was led by Abby Sullivan and her team-high eight points. Harley Proctor had four points, while Anna Drozdowski and Adison Grusendorf chipped in with three points each to round off the scoring.
Up next, a trip to Houghton Academy on Friday for Genesee Valley/Belfast, as they prepare for a 6 p.m. battle against the Lady Panthers.
Genesee Valley/Belfast 7 5 1 5 – 18
Avoca/Prattsburgh 8 12 4 10 – 34
GV/BELFAST: Anna Drozdowski 1 0-4 3, Abby Sullivan 3 1-1 8, Harley Proctor 2 0-2 4, Adison Grusendorf 1 1-2 3, Kate Calanni 0 0-2 0. Totals: 7 2-11 18.
AVOCA/PRATTSBURGH: Gwen Moon 1 0-0 2, Brea Jorritsma 1 2-2 5, Diane Hakes 4 0-0 9, Kamryn Edwards 5 0-0 10, Alyvia Hargrave 1 0-0 2, Marissa Reid 3 0-0 6. Totals: 15 2-2 34.
3-point goals: GVB 2 (Drozdowski, Sullivan), A/P 2 (Jorritsma, Hakes).
Total Fouls: GVB 7, A/P 15. Fouled out: None.
Andover/Whitesville 69, Jasper-Troupsburg 31
ANDOVER — Three different scorers all had a hand in producing a strong return to the hardwood for Andover/Whitesville, Tuesday night on their home floor, as a titanic eight minute debut right from the opening tip was enough of a swing in power that they were able to hold until the finish to garner their fourth straight win by a 69-31 count in Andover.
“We are just glad we finally got to play a game,” said Andover/Whitesville co-coach Aaron Rawady. “All of the practice time we had was nice, but when we can’t get games in, it’s tough to really gauge where we are as a team. The effort tonight was really good, so that is promising. But we still have a lot of things to clean up with our execution. This is a good group who will keep working hard, so hopefully things will continue to improve.”
Andover/Whitesville (4-0) never looked back from a brilliant night on the hardwood to start their season back up in the new year, as they capitalized on all offensive forefronts to deliver a humongous 24-2 punch right from the go, which was highlighted by a pair of Gabbi Hall three-pointers and the inside presence from Vanessa Hall along the way.
Vanessa would lead the team in scoring with all 21 of her points coming off nine shots from the field inside, as well as a 3-for-4 outing at the charity stripe. Following behind was Kennedy Bledsoe, who added another strong inside presence of her own with 13 points, while Gabbi Hall finished with 11.
After both teams traded 16-point barbs to close out the first half, the hosts in white would return to what they do best — keeping opponents in check, garnering a 16-6 third quarter run to solidify their lead permanently.
Andover/Whitesville is back on the floor Thursday night, as they welcome in the Bolivar-Richburg Lady Wolverines for a 7:30 p.m. visit to Andover.
Jasper-Troupsburg 2 16 6 7 – 31
Andover/Whitesville 24 16 16 13 – 69
JASPER-TROUPSBURG: Kahley Stewart 0 1-2 1, Madison Cady 3 2-6 8, Natalie Cornell 11 0-0 22. Totals: 14 3-10 31.
ANDOVER/WHITESVILLE: Lexy Palmatier 3 1-1 7, Vanessa Hall 9 3-4 21, Graci Lewis-Ellison 3 0-0 6, Gabby Terhune 1 0-0 2, Zoe Baert 3 3-6 9, Gabbi Hall 4 1-2 11, Kennedy Bledsoe 6 1-4 13. Totals: 29 9-17 69.
3-point goals: A/W 2 (G. Hall).
Total Fouls: J-T 14, A/W 10. Fouled out: None.
Canisteo-Greenwood 43, Dansville 42
DANSVILLE — You want to talk about being on the edge of your seat? The new year up north in Dansville started with the biggest of bangs on Tuesday.
In the electric factory that was the Corral, two powerhouses: Canisteo-Greenwood and Dansville, set out on a massive, early season collision course. One that saw multiple swings of momentum being exchanged between them. With the way the battle was trending, it was only appropriate that it would be decided in the game’s waning seconds.
After the Lady Mustangs worked all the way back from a deficit that reached as high as 13 at one point against the Lady Redskins, one of their final shots of the game was a devastating three-point shot that gave them the lead. But it was only briefly, because Lillian Mullen came to the rescue for undefeated Canisteo-Greenwood.
With under 20 seconds left in regulation, the time to make some noise and some shockwaves was now. The Lady Redskins junior did not disappoint one bit, hitting as devastating of a three-point shot as Dansville did to take the lead, as the Lady Redskins jumped out in front with the game’s final lead change, using their defense in the last stretch of seconds to hold off the Lady Mustangs and remain unbeaten with their ninth straight win in the end of their 43-42 thriller.
It was as dead even of a first half as you could imagine between the two teams, as Canisteo-Greenwood (9-0) garnered just enough room in the opening eight minute frame to take the lead led by the first of four Mullen three-pointers. From there, each team traded an eight-point second quarter to close out the first half of play, which saw the Lady Redskins keep control of their lead going into the locker room.
The second half was a different story, as it saw each team pry themselves loose from their opposition with a big run, beginning with Canisteo-Greenwood in the third. The Mullen siblings would come to life again to produce the bulk of the team’s points in the frame, with Bailey Mullen scoring five huge points while Lillian went a perfect 4-for-4 at the stripe to propel the special teams play.
With their lead growing to double digits entering the final eight minutes, Dansville would make up all of that ground and then some, as they accounted for a massive 17-7 run of the Lady Redskins led by Kali Meyer and her eight fourth quarter points. Of them, a remarkable three-pointer with under a minute left to play to give the Lady Mustangs their first lead of the second half.
But only for a moment, as Lillian Mullen came through the clutch one last time with her fourth and final three-pointer to put Canisteo-Greenwood back ahead once and for all. That would help up some defensive momentum to assist in securing their victory for good at the end of the night, as they advanced forward towards a 9-0 start.
Lillian Mullen would finish as the night’s leading scorer with a game-high 22 points — a number which helped her eclipse 1,500 total in her young and illustrious career for the Lady Redskins. Brooke Burd chipped in with a 10-point, five-rebound game while Peyton Peters had six points and seven rebounds to contribute.
Canisteo-Greenwood will look to eclipse 10 wins on the season when they hit the road once more on Friday, visiting Campbell-Savona in a 7 p.m. clash.
Canisteo-Greenwood 15 8 13 7 – 43
Dansville 12 8 5 17 – 42
CANISTEO-GREENWOOD: Bailey Mullen 2 0-0 5, Lillian Mullen 6 6-6 22, Peyton Peters 3 0-0 6, Brooke Burd 5 0-0 10. Totals: 16 6-6 43.
DANSVILLE: Emma Butters 1 0-0 2, Aynsley Belcher 7 1-2 15, Taylor Hamsher 4 1-5 11, Megan Tyler 1 1-2 3, Chelsie Tyler 1 0-0 2, Kali Meyer 3 2-3 9. Totals: 17 5-12 42.
3-point goals: C-G 5 (L. Mullen 4, B. Mullen), Dansville 3 (Hamsher 2, Meyer).
Total Fouls: C-G 11, Dansville 8. Fouled out: None.
