NTL VOLLEYBALL: ATHENS LETS LEAD SLIP AWAY IN 3-2 LOSS TO TOWANDA (2 PHOTOS) (2019-10-17)

Valley Sports Report
TOWANDA "” Athens was on the verge of avenging an early-season loss, but Towanda reeled off three straight win to pull out a five-set thriller here Thursday night in NTL Large School volleyball action.

The Lady Wildcats won the first two sets by scores of 25-18 and 25-13, but the Lady Black Knights rallied for the victory with wins of 25-16, 25-20, and 15-10 in the final three sets.

"We came out very strong and dominated," said Athens coach Heather Hanson. "Leah Liechty was a big force for us tonight, and Kayleigh Miller ran the floor extremely well. And, freshman Jenny Ryan came through big time with 13 aces and 29 attempts - very impressive.

"In the last three games, we had more errors - first two games we were unstoppable," she noted.

"So, the girls have had a glimpse into what our potential truly is when we play as a team as one - it looks great," added Hanson. Now, the going has gotten tough. Let's see if we are the tough that get
going."

Freshman Jenny Ryan led Athens with 24 service points, including 13 aces, seven digs, three kills, and four blocks, while junior Leah Liechty had three points, 18 kills, five blocks, and four digs, and senior Cassidy Stackpole had 10 points, six kills, and 19 digs.

Senior Haley Barry had nine points, three kills, three blocks, and 13 digs for the Lady Wildcats, while junior Taylor Field had seven points and a team-high 29 digs, junior Kayleigh Miller had three points, 24 setter assists, and six digs, junior Kylie Payne registered four kills and two blocks, and junior Gracie Witherow chipped in with four digs.