ATHENS — Athens pulled out a hard-fought win in the opening set, then rallied to win the third set to complete a sweep of Cowanesque Valley here Thursday night in NTL volleyball action.

The Wildcats swept CV by scores of 25-22, 25-14, and 28-26.

“It was a very exciting match for the girls,” said Athens coach Heather Darrow. “I am really proud of them for coming back from a big deficit in the third set — to continue to fight and win was so great to see.”

Kassie Babcock registered 14 kills and 18 digs, and Emma Renninger has 19 setter assists and 16 digs to lead the Wildcats, while Ella Coyle had 34 digs and three assists, and Keaton Wiles had 11 kills, eight digs, and two aces.

Sydney Field had 10 setter assists in the win, while Ellie Mosher had six aces, four kills, and three digs, Gretchan Schmieg recorded seven assists, Anna Geisinger added six digs, and Reagan McDaniel chipped in with four kills.

JV: Athens won the junior varsity match, 2-1. Athens won the first set 25-20, but CV answered with a 25-22 win. The Wildcats closed out the match with a 15-4 win in the decisive third set.

Darrow pegged Kendyl Galasso as “player of the game” for “amazing serves and some big kills.”

Athens, now 3-10, returns to action Tuesday at Sayre.

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IN PHOTO 1: Athens senior Emma Renninger (8). IN TOP PHOTO: Athens senior Keaton Wiles. … PHOTOS BY TIM BIRNEY.