TROY – Second-seeded Russia claimed its third consecutive Division IV sectional volleyball title with a 25-18, 25-15, 25-15 win over Mechanicsburg on Wednesday at Troy’s Trojan Activities Center.
Russia scored the first three points of the first game but Mechanicsburg came back and took a 6-4 lead on an ace from Emma Dunham. The Raiders then scored the next nine points – with the help of several Mechanicsburg defensive miscues – to take a 13-6 lead.
The Indians came within 20-16 late, but a block by senior middle hitter Laurissa Poling and a kill by senior outside hitter Morgan Wenrick extended the lead to six points and gave Russia momentum to close it out.
The Raiders took an early 10-4 lead in the second game and cruised to a big win.
They built a 12-3 lead in the third game, which caused Mechanicsburg to burn both timeouts. The Indians then traded points the rest of the way.
Mechanicsburg finishes the season 12-10 overall.
WL-S loses
BROOKVILLE – Second-seeded Anna defeated sixth-seeded WL-S, 25-19, 25-21, 25-13, in a Division III sectional volleyball final on Wednesday.
For the Tigers, Alex Burton had 16 kills, 11 digs was 8/8 serving with 1 ace and 11/12 on serves received; Hallie Strapp had 25 digs and was 12/12 serving with 3 aces; Breann Koons had 21 assists, 9 digs and was 11/11 serving; Kaylee Harrison had 6 kills, 9 digs and was 4/6 serving; Gabby Williams had 8 digs and was 10/11 serving; Selena Weaver had 2 kills, 6 digs and 2 blocks and Sydnee Payer had 2 digs.
WL-S ends the season with a 17-8 overall record.
UU women fall
The Urbana University women’s soccer team fell, 5-1, to Concord on Wednesday at UU Stadium.
After a scoreless first half, UU’s Alyssa Edwards netted her eighth goal on a successful penalty kick in the 50th minute to even the score at 1-1.
However, the visitors tacked on four more goals in the second frame to move past the Blue Knights. The Mountain Lions registered a 15-3 advantage in shots on goal.
UU goalkeeper Katherine Beech totaled nine saves while CU’s Katie Maher posted two saves in goal.
UU will host Notre Dame College in Sunday’s regular season finale at UU Stadium.
