Wednesday Sectionals: Lady Lions move on to Semifinals after thrilling five-set victory over NR-W; Fillmore, Houghton, B-R all add victories
WELLSVILLE — The Lady Lions of Wellsville have put together a dominant season like no other in the year 2021. Game after game in the shortened season, they have come out on top each time. They remain undefeated to start their road in the Class C2 bracket. Up first was perhaps their toughest test of the season — North Rose-Wolcott.
Back and forth the Lady Lions and Lady Cougars went through most of the night. To the point where the match needed all five sets to complete. In the last set, it became a race to the finish line and at the end of it, No. 4 Wellsville made sure they crossed it first, as they managed to edge out No. 5 North Rose-Wolcott in a thriller inside the Lion’s Den — a 23-25, 25-20, 20-25, 25-19, 25-22 victory that saw them keep perfection alive in the Quarterfinal round on Wednesday.
“It was a great match,” said Lady Lions coach Shannon Steiner. “Everyone was on the edge of their seats all night. It was probably the most exciting game of our season yet, and North Rose provided such great competition to go with that. Our girls stepped up every aspect of their game to make this happen. They showed amazing energy and spirit.”
On the frontlines for the Lady Lions (12-0) was Jaelyn Knapp and Kaylee Coleman, who provided dominant performances on both sides of the spectrum, with Knapp leading the offense and defense with team-highs in digs (15), and kills (14) to pace the way. Coleman would follow behind with 12 more digs of her own to pair with her 10 kills.
Up front, Mattie Buckley dished out assists, one after another, coming away with a whopping 32 in all to go with four more digs on defense.
The Lady Lions are now one step away from reaching the Class C2 Finals. But in order to get there, their next obstacle Friday night will come over the road, as they get set to take on the No. 1 Lady Oatkan Knights of LeRoy for a chance to punch their ticket to the big dance.
First serve is slated for a 6 p.m. start in LeRoy.
Fillmore 3, Genesee Valley/Belfast 1
BELMONT — In a clash between two Allegany County rivals, only one would come out on top to make their way into the Class D3 Semifinal round. When it was all said and done, it was the Lady Eagles who provided the upset, as the No. 5 seeds took care of business against No. 4 Genesee Valley/Belfast with a four-set, 25-12, 22-25, 25-17, 25-23 victory over the Lady Jaguars on Wednesday.
In-depth statistics for each team were not made available upon publication.
The Lady Eagles will now get set to travel for their Class D3 Semifinals matchup on Friday, as they face No. 1 C.G. Finney for a chance at the Finals next week. First serve will be 6 p.m.
Houghton Academy 3, Hammondsport 1
HOUGHTON — Allegany County League co-champions Houghton Academy started their Sectional trek strong on Wednesday, as they provided a solid showing on the court with a four-set victory over defending Sectional champion and No. 7 seed Hammondsport on their home turf, scoring a four-set, 25-19, 25-12, 25-22, 25-10 triumph to move into the Semifinal round.
In-depth statistics for each team were not made available upon publication.
The second-seeded Lady Panthers are now locked into the Class D3 Semifinal round on the bottom portion of the bracket, as they now prepare to welcome in No. 3 Notre Dame-Batavia in for a 6 p.m. visit on Friday.
Bolivar-Richburg 3, Kendall 0
BOLIVAR — The Lady Wolverines of Bolivar-Richburg started their second season in commanding fashion, Wednesday night, as they welcomed No. 7 Kendall into town, and escorted them back home in sweeping fashion, as the No. 2 seeds grabbed the straight-set triumph over the Lady Eagles by a 25-14, 25-22, 25-10 count.
In-depth statistics for each team were not made available upon publication.
Bolivar-Richburg will now host their Class D2 Semifinal matchup on Friday, as they prepare to take on No. 3 South Seneca for a chance at the Finals next week. First serve will be in Bolivar at 6 p.m.
