Wednesday Roundup: Lady Lions send Seniors out in style in sweep of Fillmore, C-R knocks off B-R in 4 sets in battle of County titans; Fillmore boys clinch D-I League title with 4-1 win vs. Wolverines
Photo gallery and stories by Chris Brooks, managing editor, wellsvillesports.com
WELLSVILLE — Senior Night. It’s a night unlike any other, where emotions run at an all-time high. One of the very last opportunities to play in front of your home crowd in the regular season.
For Maddy Parks, Morgaen Howe and Joeie Greenman, that day had arrived on Wednesday.
The Lady Lions honored all three of their leaders where laughs, tears, hugs, you name it, were all put on full display. But in the same swing, it was also something that could serve as a big boost of motivation to help send out your leaders in style. Against the visiting Lady Eagles of Fillmore, that’s exactly what Wellsville did.
Although the Lady Eagles presented a tough challenge for the Lady Lions across the first two sets of play, momentum was gained each time to allow Wellsville to push Fillmore straight to the brink. In what ultimately became the night’s final set, the hosts in black and orange finished off the night with a strong start and never looked back, as they closed up a 25-21, 25-22, 25-14 victory.
The back-and-forth battle was on in the early stages of the first set between both squads. One that would see an opening beginning to surface in favor of the Lady Lions (6-2) behind some stellar service from Averee Palmatier at the back line, as she helped account for five straight points after an early 2-2 tie to branch the team’s advantage.
But as resilient as Fillmore (7-6) has been since the start of the season, they would not back down, responding with some service of their own after a big block in front of the net sees them net eight of the next 11 points to close in on a 10-10 tie near the midway point. The consistent trading of points raged on, but the Lady Lions found their edge down the home stretch to hang on and capture the 25-21 win to take the match’s first lead.
In the second set, more of the same across its early stages with another back-and-forth exchanging of pleasantries which saw the Lady Eagles spring out on top with an early 9-6 lead. The pace would continue on up until the Lady Lions began to identify openings on Fillmore’s side of the floor, scoring eight out of 10 points after a 12-12 tie to break away towards a 20-14 lead — the biggest lead either side would hold within the set.
The Lady Eagles roared back however to close the gap to as little as one with six of the following seven points after a big denial at the front of the net provided by Savannah Hosmer allowed their fire to remain ablaze. But after a Wellsville timeout on the floor, the Lady Lions reorganized and finished off the set with a 25-22 victory to advance towards match point.
The momentum would ultimately remain in Wellsville’s favor for the remainder of the evening, as the Lady Lions began the final set with an explosive run against the Lady Eagles to set the tone right away, garnering a lead that was never lost to secure the straight-set victory to send their Seniors out swinging.
Head coach Shannon Steiner spoke about the contributions her senior leaders have made since she first arrived on the sidelines for the Lady Lions.
“Joeie has been unable to play this year, but just having her spirit on the team is a wonderful thing. She always knows how to make people laugh. Maddy is going to be hard to replace being my starting setter for the last three years now,” she said. “She has grown and improved as a player immensely. Morgaen always has a great attitude. I changed her position this year and she has mastered it. I’m very proud of all of them, and I will miss them very much.”
The Lady Lions were paced by a nine-kill game from Howe, adding an ace along the way. Furthering the team’s cause was Palmatier, who finished with five aces and three kills. Natalie Adams chimed in with four aces and two kills, while Parks handed out 19 assists to pair with her five additional aces and a kill.
Fillmore was led by Hosmer, who scored three kills and two aces. Eevie Cox had two additional aces to pitch in.
Both teams are back on the floor Friday night in a pair of 7:30 p.m. contests, as Wellsville stays put at home to host Hinsdale, while Fillmore heads back out on the road for a visit to Bolivar-Richburg.
Cuba-Rushford 3, Bolivar-Richburg 1
CUBA — One epic battle between two of Allegany County’s superpowers unfolded in front of a packed Wighthouse at Cuba-Rushford, Wednesday night, as the fight for supremacy at the very top was on in full force.
After a first set rebound by the Lady Wolverines, the match would then settle in for an incredible finish not only in the night’s final set, but in the remaining three sets altogether to keep everyone in attendance at the edge of their seats in the grandstand. But across them all, only one constant remained — the Lady Rebels of Cuba-Rushford found their way each time.
With two of the remaining three sets each seeing extra serves over the 25-point plateau, the Lady Rebels were able to survive one outstanding challenge from the Lady Wolverines to keep the momentum in their favor to capture one of their biggest wins of the season — their seventh in their first eight games, as they squeezed their way towards a four-set win by a 16-25, 28-26, 25-23, 28-26 decision.
“It was a lot of fun tonight. B-R really brought it to us, and I’m sure we’ll play them again at some point when Sectionals get here,” said Lady Rebels coach Josh Tompkins. “It was a great environment inside the gym, and both teams had their fair share of ups and downs, but this was some of the more exciting and competitive volleyball I’ve been around this season.”
The Lady Rebels (7-1) were paced by two outstanding offensive performances from both Lilah Stroud and Lauren O’Keefe on the front line, with Stroud posting a team-high nine kills, while O’Keefe followed closely behind with eight kills of her own to go with nine digs on defense and a pair of aces. The team’s setter, Kendall Tompkins helped further the team’s cause in a big way herself, handing out 26 assists to go with six digs and three aces.
As for Bolivar-Richburg (7-2), Carmen Crowley was absolutely stellar on the attack, recording 19 game-high kills to couple alongside 11 digs and a pair of denials. Kori Thomas chipped in with 15 additional kills, pairing them with five digs and a trio of blocks. On defense, Brena Walp delivered 20 digs, while Hannah Mascho remained busy at the net by handing out 35 helpers.
Cuba-Rushford is in store for a quick turnaround this evening back out on the road, as they visit Houghton Academy for a 7 p.m. first serve, while the Lady Wolverines look to regroup back home with a 7:30 p.m. visit from Fillmore on Friday.
Houghton Academy 3, Genesee Valley/Belfast 1
HOUGHTON — Genesee Valley/Belfast gave everything they had to follow host Houghton Academy right in their tracks, including a second set win in back-and-forth fashion, but the Lady Panthers were able to put a halt on all the momentum their opposition was able to build by scoring wins in the next two sets to claim a four-set, 25-19, 23-25, 25-17, 25-16 win on Wednesday.
Julia Winkens provided an outstanding night on the attack for the Lady Panthers (6-4), as she posted a game-high 11 kills to pair with three aces and three digs. Adding more help along the way was Abby Reitnour, who kept the ball off the floor with 15 strong digs to go with three kills.
On the other side of the net, Liliana Porter-Long paced Genesee Valley/Belfast’s (3-10) offense with nine kills to pair with four digs and three aces. At the front of the net, setter Cassidy Hand handed out 14 assists while garnering three additional aces from the service line.
Both teams will have the Lady Rebels of Cuba-Rushford up next on their schedule, with the Lady Panthers getting first crack in their third straight game in action tonight, welcoming them to town for a 7 p.m. first serve. Genesee Valley/Belfast will then play host to the Lady Rebels a day later in a 7:30 p.m. contest of their own, Friday night.
Keshequa 3, Hinsdale 1
NUNDA — After a marathon second set between both teams that saw the Lady Bobcats of Hinsdale even the contest at one set each, host Keshequa had other plans in store for the rest of the battle ahead on Wednesday, as they survived a back-and-forth battle until the end to come away with the two sets they needed to clinch a four-set, 25-17, 24-26, 25-22, 25-20 win on their home floor.
Statistics for the Lady Bobcats (1-10) were not made available to report upon publication.
Up next on the schedule, Hinsdale will now begin preparations for a 7:30 p.m. visit to Wellsville.
BOYS SOCCER
Fillmore 4, Bolivar-Richburg 1
BOLIVAR — When it comes to Fillmore and Bolivar-Richburg settling the score on the pitch, the two Allegany County foes have always put together one incredible show to put on full display.
On Wednesday, it was no different at Dunsmore-Latimer Field as the Eagles and Wolverines engaged in close quarters combat for much of the opening session. Things would remain tight after the hosts in black managed to tie the game up at one upon entering the second half. But as time progressed, the field began to open up.
Fillmore had the honors of doing so.
In a span of just over five minutes, the Eagles flipped the game on its head with the assistance of Layton Sanasith and Zach Sisson, as the two seniors found the back of the Bolivar-Richburg net to garner the advantage for the rest of the game and settle for a massive 4-1 victory to remain undefeated on the season at the top of the County with another League Championship in the wagon.
“It’s always a hard-fought battle on the road at B-R. We had so many shots and chances, but failed to convert in the first half and into the beginning part of the second. Credit their keeper for coming up with some great saves to keep them in it,” said Eagles coach Jarrett Vosburg. “I’m proud of us for how we responded after giving up the early goal in the second. We stuck with the game plan and eventually cracked a couple home. We’ve got a few more tough tests with Wellsville, Allegany-Limestone and Genesee Valley/Belfast to end the season with a flurry, but happy for the boys to lock up the County title tonight.”
The tight battle between both squads took over through the first portion of time, all while the Eagles (13-0) were applying a vast amount of pressure against the Wolverines to keep them on their feet. That pressure would boil over at the 15:57 mark in the opening half when a direct kick sailed directly on goal, ricocheting to the front in the midst of a mob of players.
The ball was dug free by Nolan Krzeminski, who delivered a fine drop pass to Eben Schilke near the top of the 18, launching a laser that bounced off the post and to the other side of the Bolivar-Richburg (6-5-1) cage for the icebreaking score.
The lead would remain intact until the Wolverines provided a response to tie the game from Gary McDowell’s pass straight forward to a streaking Reiss Gaines, splitting a pair of Eagles defenders on the way in at the 35:08 mark.
But despite the deadlock, Fillmore would break it with three more goals, two of them coming in a span of 5:20 to change the complexion of the game, as Layton Sanasith and Zach Sisson went back-to-back to give them the lead and more, thanks to a pair of Henry Sardina helpers.
To further cement the team’s victory and another Allegany County League title, Sardina would capitalize on a goal of his own with 4:04 left to go, pushing the advantage out to three.
The four Fillmore goals were scored off 26 total shots applied against the Wolverines, as they outshot their opposition by a 26-5 count.
In goal, Brayden Hennard made three saves to preserve the win, while David Abdo made 22 saves for the hosts in black and red, who are now off until Friday for a 5 p.m. visit to Houghton Academy.
Fillmore continues their road swing on Saturday with an 11 a.m. first kick slated inside the Lion’s Den against host Wellsville.
Friendship/Scio 2, Lima Christian 1
LIMA — After engaging in a back-and-forth duel that entered the final seconds in their last battle, Friendship/Scio had to dig and claw their way back at the break following a 1-0 lead for the Saints of Lima Christian on Wednesday.
But it was some digging and clawing that they would not shy away from, as they provided a resilient second half of soccer to put Lima Christian on their feet, scoring bright and early to tie the game before taking the lead away permanently in the last 15 minutes to lay claim on a 2-1 win and the season sweep of the Saints.
After a direct kick allowed the Saints to claim a 1-0 lead in the midst of a midfield battle between both squads, Friendship/Scio (2-12) regrouped and bounced back in a big way without hesitation in the first six minutes of the second half, as Lawson Ector tied the game at one off a big corner kick.
The tie would remain in place until the visitors created one final opening with 14:03 left to play, as the ball made its way downfield and caught the foot of Jerome Harmon, who sprinted away in breakaway fashion to deliver home what was deemed the game-winning goal, as Friendship/Scio was able to hold the fort down to secure the series-sweeping victory over the road.
Both goals came on 12 total shots for Friendship/Scio, as they took a 12-9 advantage in the shot department. In goal, the win belonged to Deacon Brown, who made eight saves.
Friendship/Scio is back on their home field Friday night with a 5 p.m. visit from Cuba-Rushford in Friendship.
GIRLS SOCCER
Arkport/Canaseraga 3, Friendship/Scio 2
ARKPORT — An all-out defensive war across the first 40 minutes of play was exchanged in favor of a high-octane offensive slugfest to close out an epic confrontation between Friendship/Scio and Arkport/Canaseraga under the bright Wednesday night lights at the Melody Harwood Soccer Complex in Arkport.
Five goals were tacked onto the board, with three of them coming across a five minute span in the heat of battle. With the lead already in hand, the Lady Wolves saw big markers from Peyton O’Dell and Chloe Henshaw make a big difference at the end of the night, as the hosts in black and teal were able to hang on for dear life at the final horn to deliver a 3-2 edging of Friendship/Scio.
“It was nice to have some girls back in the lineup to help get us healthy again so we can get that firepower back up front, and that helps,” said Friendship/Scio coach Dillon McFall. “We had our moments where we played really well and won the ball, but we had a couple of breakdowns that cost us throughout the night and in goal. We have to finish the ball better. Their keeper made a couple of great saves, but we can do a better job of things and it will come.”
After a stellar showing of defense highlighted the first half of play, the action quickly shifted to the offense when both teams returned to the field for the second half. Nearly six minutes from the kick at center, Arkport/Canaseraga was first to act quickly with Shannon Spoth’s score, breaking the ice underneath Friendship/Scio (6-8) with a 1-0 lead.
The lead grew at the 28:12 mark for the Lady Wolves with O’Dell finding her way to the back of the net, as the score began a consistent strand of scores that would stretch across the next five minutes on the field. A strand that also saw Friendship/Scio cut their deficit right in half with the first of two Nevaeh Ross scores at the 25:44 mark to keep them within reach of the Lady Wolves.
But the hosts did not bring their foot off the gas, as they regained traction on their two-goal lead just over two minutes later, as Henshaw provided her big contribution to pick up a 3-1 lead.
Despite falling back behind by a pair, Friendship/Scio would not let up with their pressure, as they stayed right behind Arkport/Canaseraga with Ross’ second marker with 17:31 left to go, scoring off a pass sent along by Cece Davenport.
In the end, Arkport/Canaseraga was able to hang on until the end to claim victory in close fashion.
Both teams combined to record 29 total shots on offense, with the Lady Wolves claiming the narrow 15-14 advantage. In goal, the win belonged to Maddie Kellogg, who made 13 saves. On the other side of the pitch, Grace Drumm set aside 11 shots for the visitors.
Friendship/Scio will now see a week away from action, as they begin preparations for a 5 p.m. contest with the Bolivar-Richburg Lady Wolverines in Friendship, next Wednesday night.
Avoca/Prattsburgh 6, Bolivar-Richburg 0
PRATTSBURGH — The Avoca/Prattsburgh Lady Titans celebrated their Senior Night in style on Wednesday. Led by Ina Kjernli on the front line, the hosts in black and gold took care of business in front of their home crowd in Prattsburgh, coasting their way towards a 6-0 shutout of the Lady Wolverines of Bolivar-Richburg.
Kjernli posted a pair of goals to go with a helper to pace the Avoca/Prattsburgh offense. Providing additional help on the attack were Izzy Button, Madison Everdyke, Meyah Putnam and Ellie Harrell, as the four Lady Titans converged to record a goal each, while the defense remained glued together to record the shutout for Lily Hausauer in goal.
Additional in-depth statistics were not made available to report upon publication.
Bolivar-Richburg (4-8) will look to turn it around in a quick turnaround back home tonight, hosting the Lady Rebels of Cuba-Rushford in a 5 p.m. first kick.
GIRLS TENNIS
Class B2 First Round
No. 9 Canisteo-Greenwood 3, No. 9 Fillmore 2
HOUGHTON — Sectional fever has officially hit the tennis court on a summer-esque Wednesday night at Houghton University, where either No. 9 Canisteo-Greenwood or No. 8 Fillmore would fight for the right to square off with defending Class B2 Champion Wellsville in the next round of action that lies ahead.
Each team would grab two wins in competition, but with a forfeit win in third singles being credited to the Lady Chargers, they were able to perform the complete sweep of all three singles matches against the Lady Eagles to earn their place in the Quarterfinal round, as they advanced onwards with a 3-2 edge to end Fillmore’s season.
“Tonight was a tough way to have the season end,” said Lady Eagles coach Randy Crouch. “I’m really disappointed for our seniors that we couldn’t get the third win and earn a spot in the Quarterfinals. I’m really proud of the growth we have shown this year, and I am already looking forward to taking another step forward next year.”
The Lady Eagles garnered both victories in the doubles department, one in strong fashion from their first doubles team of Kira Morley and Spencer Hopkins, as they took control of their match against Canisteo-Greenwood’s Amelia Stewart and Bailey Heisel from start to finish with a 6-1, 6-0 victory. The second doubles team of Kirra Bentley and Lena Tucker were in for a battle with McKenzie Clark and Serenity Sanford, ultimately edging their way towards triumph by a 6-3, 6-3 decision.
As for the Lady Chargers, they took both singles matches in competition with 6-1, 6-0 wins, as Aaliyah Tigner and Alli Jackson came away victorious at first and second singles, respectively to put on top of their third singles forfeit win.
Fillmore’s 2023 campaign on the court has officially reached its conclusion, as they finish with a record of 4-9 overall.
Singles
1. Aaliyah Tigner (C-G) def. Claire Schilke (FIL), 6-1, 6-0.
2. Alli Jackson (C-G) def. Molly Mahoney (FIL), 6-1, 6-0.
3. J. Minch (C-G) by for.
Doubles
1. Kira Morley/Spencer Hopkins (FIL) def. Amelia Stewart/Bailey Heisel (C-G), 6-1, 6-0.
2. Kirra Bentley/Lena Tucker (FIL) def. McKenzie Clark/Serenity Sanford (C-G), 6-3, 6-3.
