Thursday Roundup: Lady Eagles use 18-point game from Russell, 22-point 1st quarter to set tone in home win over B-R; Fri/Scio volleyball rebounds with straight-set home triumph over Wolverines
C-G v. A-A GALLERY by JC’s photography
By CHRIS BROOKS, managing editor, wellsvillesports.com
FILLMORE — All the Lady Eagles of Fillmore needed was the first eight minutes to set an immediate tone. With another dynamic performance from Hope Russell spinning all of the cogs in the machine, the Lady Eagles continued their strong start to the year with their third straight victory in a 51-14 home win over Bolivar-Richburg inside The Rock, Thursday night.
The Lady Eagles (3-0) controlled all facets right from the start, as they used their strongest spurt of offense to set the table for the remainder of the game, as they held the Lady Wolverines in check with a 22-6 first quarter run that they never looked back from.
Hope Russell was one of the team’s main driving forces behind the offensive success, as she posted a game-high 16 points to couple alongside five steals. Emalyn Mucher scored nine points, while Amelia Rose followed with eight points of her own.
On special teams, Grace Russell posted 10 steals and eight assists. Kylee Ellsworth record seven rebounds off the glass.
For the Lady Wolverines (1-2), Carmen Crowley led the way with six points. Bolivar-Richburg will hop back onto the hardwood next Thursday night with a trip to Scio for Christmas Tournament festivities, as they face Alfred-Almond at 6 p.m.
Fillmore will hit the road on Monday in search of their fourth straight win to open their campaign, as they pay a 6:30 p.m. visit to Holland.
Bolivar-Richburg 6 0 4 4 – 14
Fillmore 22 14 2 13 – 51
BOLIVAR-RICHBURG: Raegan Giardini 1 0-0 2, Sydney Faulkner 2 0-0 4, Rylee Whiting 1 0-0 2, Carmen Crowley 3 0-0 6. Totals: 7 0-0 14.
FILLMORE: Hope Russell 6 2-2 16, Grace Russell 1 2-4 4, Rachel Hatch 1 0-0 2, Amelia Rose 2 3-4 8, Kylee Ellsworth 1 1-2 3, Mattie McCumiskey 1 2-2 4, Summer Friedl 1 1-1 3, Preslee Miller 1 0-2 2, Emalyn Mucher 4 0-0 9. Totals: 18 11-17 51.
3-point goals: Fillmore 4 (H. Russell 2, Rose, Mucher).
Total Fouls: B-R 14, Fillmore 7. Fouled out: None.
Canisteo-Greenwood 57, Alfred-Almond 4
CANISTEO — Every single Lady Charger in the lineup and on the bench all found their way into the scorebook from start to finish against visiting Alfred-Almond, as they coasted forwards towards victory with a 57-4 home win Thursday night over the Lady Eagles in the Canisteo Valley.
In the midst of a well-balanced offensive attack, Canisteo-Greenwood (2-1) saw Bailey Mullen take the lead behind her game-high 14 points. Harlie McCaffery, Kora Button and Paris May all had eight points each to further the team’s cause, with McCaffery grabbing nine boards off the glass along the way. In addition, McKenna Ferris had eight more rebounds to add.
Alfred-Almond was led by Olivia Flaitz, who had three points. Taylor Flaitz had one point.
The Lady Chargers will go for their third win in the first four games, welcoming in the Livonia Lady Bulldogs on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Alfred-Almond 0 1 0 3 – 4
Canisteo-Greenwood 13 17 14 13 – 57
ALFRED-ALMOND: Kaylianna Clark 0 0-2 0, Taylor Flaitz 0 1-4 1, Olivia Flaitz 1 0-0 3. Totals: 1 1-6 4.
CANISTEO-GREENWOOD: Kora Button 3 0-0 8, Bailey Mullen 6 2-2 14, Kadyn Piliero 1 0-0 2, McKenna Ferris 3 0-0 6, Lila Greenfield 3 0-0 6, Harlie McCaffery 4 0-2 8, Sidney Drouin 2 1-3 5, Paris May 3 0-0 8. Totals: 25 3-7 57.
3-point goals: A-A 1 (Flaitz), C-G 4 (Button 2, May 2).
Total Fouls: A-A 11, C-G 6. Fouled out: None.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Friendship/Scio 3, Bolivar-Richburg 0
SCIO — Thursday night provided an opportunity for Friendship/Scio to rebound after Monday’s visit to Wellsville. Back home in Scio, they went on to do exactly that against the Wolverines of Bolivar-Richburg, as they used the first set to their utmost advantage to set up a straight-set sweep, claiming the 25-13, 25-20, 25-16 win.
“I was really proud of our response tonight coming off a poor showing on Tuesday in Wellsville. We didn’t give away as many points. It was truly a team effort with contributions from all over the court.” said Friendship/Scio coach Kaiden Bowers.
Lena Trost powered a ferocious Friendship/Scio (1-2) offense with a strong performance from the service line, delivering a whopping 20 service points to pair alongside four aces. Eli Wade aided the cause with nine more service points, including an ace, to go with four assists.
Bolivar-Richburg (0-3) was led by Dustin Murray and his eight kills, recording a pair of aces along the way. Owen Unfus handed out nine helpers to go with two additional aces.
Both teams will return to the floor after the weekend on Monday with 6 p.m. contests on the docket, as Friendship/Scio hits the road for Arkport/Canaseraga, while Bolivar-Richburg continues their road swing down the road from Scio and into Wellsville to visit the Lions.
Portville 3, Genesee Valley/Belfast 1
BELMONT — The Portville Panthers are in their first full season of boys volleyball. On Thursday, Genesee Valley/Belfast was the first to do battle with the Section VI representatives on their home floor in the Jungle. From start to finish, it was a tough battle between both squads, with the hosts laying claim to the game’s first lead.
But a dominant end to the second set would allow the Panthers to build a bounty of momentum going forward, as Portville evaded one final stand from Genesee Valley/Belfast to claim three straight victories for the four-set, 21-25, 25-10, 25-19, 25-19 triumph over the road.
“I think as a whole team, this week will be a big learning experience,” GV/Belfast coach Darren Bradt. “There was definitely some inexperience that plagued us, but we played a whole lot better than we did against Allegany the other night. We’re playing four games in five days, and then we’re back on the court again on Monday. We really haven’t had an opportunity to practice on some of the things to see growth from one game to the next. Portville definitely impressed me being a brand new team having a lot of athleticism, and they continue to learn more about the sport as well.”
Genesee Valley/Belfast (1-2) was propelled by Brayden Cooper, who posted seven kills, four blocks and two aces. Braedon Callahan pitched in with five aces to go with two digs and two aces. Setter Noah Miller handed out 12 helpers.
“I definitely want to give a shoutout to Braedon. Although his stats are not overly huge, he is a seventh grader starting on the team and even in just one game, he showed a lot of improvement and confidence being on the court. I also want to give some praise to Noah, he’s our freshman setter. He’s contributing the same thing, and he continues to grow immensely every game out.” said Bradt.
Genesee Valley/Belfast will turn right around and welcome the Lions of Wellsville into the Jungle for action tonight in a 6 p.m. first serve.