Mount Vernon News

FREDERICKTOWN — Tuesday night action saw a matchup of undefeated Mid-Buckeye Conference volleyball teams, as the Fredericktown Freddies played host to the Danville Blue Devils. Both teams were 2-0 in conference play coming in, but when the matches were over, Fredericktown came away with the unscathed record. Fredericktown (4-0, 3-0) won in three games, 25-11, 27-25, 25-21.

The first game saw Fredericktown jump out to an early lead and dominate most of the action. Danville came out looking timid, and Fredericktown jumped on the opportunity, making quick work of the Blue Devils. In Games 2 and 3, Danville made the necessary adjustments and played the Freddies hard to the final point in both games.

“I was very pleased with the first game,” said Fredericktown head coach Marilyn Rutherford. “I was especially pleased because we had to change the lineup; I have a girl home sick. Courtney Jones came in and did an excellent job for us.”

The second game was a back-and-forth contest, with neither of the teams able to break away. Until Danville took a 21-18 lead, there was never more than a two-point swing for either team. The game was locked at 25 when Fredericktown scored two quick points, giving them the 2-0 game lead.

The final match began much like the second, with neither team able to break away for much of the early action. The game was knotted at 10 when the Freddies went on a 7-0 run. But Danville wasn’t done, running off five points of its own, and the game stayed tight until, once again, Fredericktown pulled away, taking the final game and sweeping the match.

“Credit goes to Danville, they came out in the second game and figured some things out with our team, and took advantage of it,” Rutherford said. “Fortunately, we were able to make some adjustments. It was nice to come out with a win, but Danville showed up to play.”

Danville head coach Michelle Crawford said she would have loved to go home with a victory, but was very happy with her team’s performance.

“I was very proud of our girls,” Crawford said. “They stepped up and really played hard. I was happy even though it was a loss because the scores were so close and we kept our heads up the whole night.

“I have a lot of respect for [coach Rutherford] and the Fredericktown players,” Crawford continued. “They played very well. I can’t wait to meet up with them again this year.”

Fredericktown hopes to continue its undefeated season, but will have to rely on leadership and experience, two benefits the Freddies have in the fold this year.

“We have quite a bit of experience on the floor,” Rutherford said. “We have had some very similar back-and-forth games. We have been there and we know what it’s like when the other team figures things out, and I think the experience that our team brings to the floor gets us through games like this.”

Rutherford relies heavily on Lauren Stump and Mackenzie Logan for senior leadership, and each had excellent games Tuesday night.

“Both of those girls have worked really hard on their game on their own,” said Rutherford. “They make my job that much easier. They worked really hard this off season, and it shows when they play together.”

“We fought really hard tonight and came out with the win,” said Stump. “We knew we needed to communicate and come together. We all get along and have great chemistry. We knew they were our toughest competition so far this year, and we had to work hard to get the win, and we did.”

Stump finished with 22 assists, two kills and nine points. Logan finished the game for the Freddies with a team-high 10 kills. She added two blocks and four points.

“As a team, we talked about coming out and getting our fourth win,” Logan said. “We knew they were good. We had to play hard and we knew it would go our way. It just took the will to win.”

Kate Newkirk led Fredericktown with 11 digs, to go along with six kills, one block and 15 points. Courtney Briegel finished with six kills and Lyndsay Briegel added three kills. Jones finished with six digs and six points.

Danville was led by Maria Hansen’s 10 kills. Aubrey Hazen had six kills, two aces and one dig. Jessica Mickley finished with six kills, and Jennifer Mickley also added six kills. Morgan Lauderbaugh had two kills; Tracy Payne led the team with 23 assists and added two kills and one ace to her totals. Rounding out Danville’s scoring with two digs was freshman Katelyn Walls.

Fredericktown also won the junior varsity matchup in two games, defeating Danville 25-16 and 25-13. Danville’s freshman team got the victory over Fredericktown’s freshman squad in three games: 21-25, 25-17 and 26-24.