STEUBENVILLE — A slow start made for a big finish.
The Big Red volleyball team shook off the first game against Harrison Central as Big Red rallied to win the next three to win the match, 18-25, 25-11, 25-17, 25-9, Wednesday night inside the Crimson Center.
“Sometimes – through know fault of our own – we get into big slumps, but the girls don’t get down,” Big Red (4-6) head coach Logan Colabella said. “They battle back. They try to bounce back. Sometimes when we are down, they have lead, other times not. They don’t let it affect them the rest of the match.”
Harrison Central (2-7) head coach Ray Hibbs refused to comment after the match.
Individually for the Red-and-Black, Sarah Allen collected 12 kills, four aces and one dig, Te’Jah Montgomery tallied six kills, four aces and one dig and Analesa Purdue four kills, three aces and one dig. Also, Sena Smith contributed one ace, two assists and two digs, Julia Arlesic delivered five aces and two digs and Kaitlyn Smith chipped in with one ace and one dig. Finally, Emma Lyons added eight kills, and Ayra Bigsby finished with four kills.
After losing the first game, the girls from Jefferson County controlled most of the match the rest of the way.
In the first game, the Huskies led 22-14 and 24-16. The girls in black were able to fight off two game points, however, the visitors were able to score the necessary point to win the game by seven to take a 1-0 lead in the match.
Big Red raced out to a 4-0 lead in Game 2, and Hibbs was forced to call a timeout with his team trailing, 8-1. The home team built an 11-3 lead, however, the girls from Harrison County battled back and scored the next four points to pull within 11-7.
Harrison Central had the momentum, however, it did not last long as Big Red quickly regrouped and pulled away to the game by 14 points to even the match at 1-all.
The victors scored the first two points of the third game, but the girls in white countered by scoring the next four to take a two-point lead. Later, the game was tied at 9. Big Red responded by scoring four of the next five points to build a 13-9 advantage, but the Huskies fought back.
Big Red took a 16-13 lead, but the Huskies scored four of the next five points as the score became knotted at 17. Once again, Harrison Central had some momentum, but the rest of the match belonged to Big Red.
The Huskies did not score another point in the game as Big Red pulled away to win the game by eight to break the deadlock and to take a 2-1 lead.
“They realized they had to finish,” Colabella said. “They had the momentum, they did not let up and they kept pushing.”
Big Red’s eight straight points were the first ones in what became a 31-3 run.
Big Red scored the first six points of Game 4 causing Hibbs to call a timeout. Ultimately, Big Red built its advantage out to 22-3. Harrison Central staged a bit of a rally as the scored six more points in the game, but it was not enough as Big Red won the game by 16 points to win the match, 3-1.
“I am very proud of them,” Colabella said. “They wanted it, and they were able to take control. They did not stop. It’s a big win for the team.”
Both teams are scheduled to return to the court today at home.
Big Red is scheduled to take on Jefferson County rival Toronto.
“It’s a big match,” Colabella said. “Toronto is a good team. They are fundamentally sound. They have a great hitter and a great setter.”
Harrison Central is slated to play Bellaire.
