UTICA — Despite a furious late comeback, the Utica Redskins managed to sweep the visiting Danville Blue Devils, 25-11, 25-16, 25-14, at home on Thursday evening in Mid-Buckeye Conference volleyball action.
In the first set, the Redskins jumped out to an early advantage on the strong serving of Alex Preston (three kills and 23 assists) and Marissa Smitherman. A kill by Utica’s Lareese Marston put her team in control, 16-8.
It was the serving of Marston and Brittney Potes that would take it the rest of the way for Utica as they made a 9-3 run to take the first set.
“We can’t go in thinking that we’re going to win every game,” said Utica’s Abby Swartz, who had 10 kills for the evening. “We just have to treat every (opponent) the same. It was just good to get the job done tonight.”
The second set was more of the same. Some good setting from Alex Preston and kills from Marston and Rachel Londot (19 kills and 12 digs) gave the Redskins a 16-7 lead as they coasted in Set 2.
The third set started like it was going to be a cake walk for the Redskins. Utica took advantage of Rachel Londot’s steady serving to build a 12-3 lead. Just as it appeared that the Blue Devils were losing focus, they caught fire. Danville’s Melissa Mickley (five kills, six digs, two points) drilled a shot into the Utica end to score and begin a rally for her team.
A great run of serving from Danville’s Kalin Clement (three digs and seven points) and another pair of kills from Mickley brought the Blue Devils to within one, 12-11.
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