Valley Sports ReportROME, Pa. - Athens battled for three sets, but Northeast Bradford was dominant in the fourth set of a 3-1 win here Friday evening in NTL volleyball action.
The Lady Panthers won the first two sets by scores of 25-19 and 25-20, but the Lady Wildcats pulled out a 25-22 decision in the third set. NEB cruised to a 25-9 win in the decisive fourth set.
"Tonight was just the typical volleyball mental ups-and-downs," said Athens coach Heather Hanson. "My team was quieter than I'd heard in a long time, they really had to work at being loud, which is not typical for them.
"This team has tons of potential," she added. "I just need to have patience because they are coming along and they are going to be good."
Jenny Ryan led Athens with nine kills, nine setter assists five digs, and two service points, while Taylor Walker had five points and two blocks, Ally Martin had four points (three aces), two kills, and 10 digs, and Ella Coyle had four points (three aces), and nine digs.
"Jenny Ryan did an amazing job running the floor touching every second ball," said Hanson. "Taylor Walker had some huge blocks tonight changing the momentum of the game for the girls.
"Ella Coyle received an incredible game "" I'm so excited for her," noted Hanson. "And, Ally Martin was a machine; her serving game and digging was incredible."
Audrey Clare had two points (two aces), five kills and six digs for the Lady Wildcats, while Braelynn Wood added three digs, and Kassie Babcock chipped in with two blocks.
Athens returns to action Saturday at the Tunkhannock Tournament.
