NTL VOLLEYBALL: WELLSBORO OUTLASTS ATHENS IN FIVE-SET THRILLER (2024-10-03)

Valley Sports Report
WELLSBORO — Athens took division-leading Wellsboro to the limit, but dropped a five-set decision here Thursday night in NTL Large School volleyball action.

“The girls fought hard tonight,” said Athens coach Heather Darrow. “A lot of moments they could have thrown in the towel — several times we were down by 5, 6, and 7 points and fought hard to come back and then get ahead.

“The girls aren’t satisfied with this loss, and know it’s time to push harder and dig deeper,” added Darrow.

Wellsboro opened the night with a 25-20 win in the first set, but Athens answered with a 25-21 win in the second set.

The Hornets took the third set in a 25-11 romp, but the Wildcats forced a fifth set with a 25-23 win in the fourth set.

Wellsboro claimed the victory with a 15-11 in the decisive fifth set.

Senior Kassie Babcock led Athens with 20 kills and 16 digs, while senior Keaton Wiles had five aces, nine kills, and 16 digs, and senior Emma Renninger had 19 setter assists, eight digs, and two aces.

Senior Ella Coyle recorded 22 digs and two aces for the Wildcats, while senior Sydney Field dished out 12 assists, senior Anna Geisinger recorded nine digs, freshman Ellie MOsher had four kills and three aces, senior Gretchen Schmieg added four aces, and two digs, and junior Regan McDaniel capped in with two kills and one block.

Darrow gave a shout-out to a pair of reserves after the match.

“Two girls who never get the individual stat recognition are Alivia Learn and Brooke Geiger,” she said. “They are our phenomenal role players that 100 percent of the time give their all in being loud on the bench and positive to everyone.

“Bench etiquette, teammate support like that is so huge and they deserve
recognition for how much they contribute to our team,” Darrow added.

Athens, now 2-8, returns to action Thursday when it hosts NEB.

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IN PHOTO: Athens senior Kassie Babcock. … VSR STOCK PHOTO.

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