NTL VOLLEYBALL: ATHENS WINS ITS POOL, FALLS IN SEMIS AT WILLIAMSON TOURNAMENT; SAYRE SECOND IN ITS POOL (August 29, 2026)

Valley Sports Report
TIOGA JUNCTION — Athens won its pool, but fell to Williamson in the semifinals of bracket play, while Sayre placed second in its pool here Saturday at the Williamson Volleyball Tournament.

Athens was 7-1 to win Pool A, while Sayre was 5-4 in Pool B, which eventual champ Troy won with a 7-2 mark — both losses coming to the Redskins.

"The girls really implemented what we have been doing in practice into the games," said Athens coach Heather Darrow. "We’ve been working on running plays, so I expected we would have some errors. The goal here was to get comfortable with each other.

"The girls are running different offensive systems and with that comes errors as we figure out the flow and get comfortable with who is going in for what hit and when," she noted. "The goal was to work on those things so we are comfortable doing it in season. 

"This tournament was used to get everyone playing time and a few of them trying different spots," added Darrow.

Sayre coach Colby Sangrey was pleased with his team's performance.

"I’m happy with a lot of the things we were able to show on the court," he said. "It’s nice to be able to play against good competition to show us what we do well and what we can work on before the season begins."

Sayre swept Northern Potter by scores of 25-17, 25-14, and 15-6, then bounced back from a 25-18 loss to Troy in the first set with wins of 25-21 and 16-14.

The Redskins were swept by Canton by scores of 25-20, 25-17, and 15-8.

Athens swept Cowanesque Valley by scores of 25-19 and 25-10, NEB by scores of 25-15 and 25-12, and Coudersport by scores of 25-22 and 25-21.

The Wildcats beat Williamson 25-21 in their first pool play set, but dropped a 25-21 decision in the second set.

Williamson pulled out a three-set decision in the semifinals.

"This crew is really fun to watch," said Darrow of her Wildcats. 

"Kayla Forbes is everywhere on the court and is so precise with her passing, it’s awesome. 

"We’ve got Evelyn Roy and Ellie Mosher crushing it on the outside, and Emi McQuay and Kendall Gallasso really stepping up as solid middles," said Darrow. "And, Emma Mallore is such a force at the net.

"Meg Wiles is really showing her stuff as such a hard-working setter and leader for the team.

"Hannah Parrish is really moving on defense and her spot serving is dangerous," added Darrow. "And, Lainey Vosburgh is a dominant serve-receiver."

Athens opens the NTL season Tuesday when it hosts Troy, while Sayre hosts NEB Thursday.

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