Three set loss to Upper Sandusky on October 10

By Cort Reynolds

Playing at home, the Ada High School volleyball team battled but lost a three-setter to Upper Sandusky in a non-conference match Monday on their annual "Dig for the Cure" cancer benefit night on October 10.

Proceeds from the event went to benefit the family of former Ada teacher Julie Butterfield. Over five thousand dollars was raised.

The 25-16, 25-21, 25-21 defeat dropped the Lady Bulldog record to 10-11 this season. US improved to 7-13 with the win.

The visiting Rams came from behind in set three, closing the match on a 12-4 run to finish off the spunky Bulldogs.

"Upper was tough and their middle (Velourea Stowers) was good, she kind of controlled things," said Ada head coach Kyleigh Woodruff. "We were playing catch-up most of the match. But we did lead for a lot of the third set."

Ada took an early 2-1 lead in set one on a tip by Autumn Andreasen, and an ace from Courtney Sumner. 

The Rams spurted ahead despite Ada senior Emilee Huffer finding an open spot on a cross-court kill.

US extended their margin to 17-11. A second Addyson Newman quick set tip made it 18-11 before Andreasen ended the run with a southpaw tip. 

The Rams surged in front 22-13 before Lily Baumgartner deposited consecutive kills. But the Rams ended a long rally with a shot on the backline.

Upper then closed it out, 25-16.

US jumped to a 8-0 lead in set two behind the serving of sophomore Leah Kinley and hitting by senior Velourea Stowers. 

Ada finally stopped the run and Daicy Robinson hit the sideline on a short kill for 8-2. The Rams pulled ahead 13-4 on a two-handed tip and a clean kill. 

A clean Sumner ace in the back corner pulled Ada within 14-6. The Bulldogs edged within six on some Ram errors. A clean Robinson kill inched Ada to within five 16-11.

Robinson hammered another clean kill for 18-13. A mis-hit against the block of Huffer and Baumgartner was followed by a Robinson ace at 18-15.

After a Ram timeout, Ada served into the net and Stowers hit a clean kill. An ace and a Stowers smash advanced the lead to 22-15.

An Andreasen tip stopped the run, but US got a sideout. A Stowers smash reached set point, but she served into the net. US hit long and then into the net. Ada won a long rally to cut the deficit to 24-21. 

But on their fourth set point try, the Rams put it away on a back line kill 25-21.

A Stowers slam made it 4-2 early in set three. Baumgartner won a tip duel at the net and Robinson's clean kill to the open back knotted it at 5-5.

US edged in front 9-7 before a serving error. A couple of Andreasen tips put Ada in front. Tessa Griffith hit a cross-court kill for 11-9. 

Upper tied it 12-12 but hit long after a good block from Andreasen. Sophomore Newman again authored a quick set tip tied it 13-all, followed by a clean Robinson kill.

A Robinson block rolled along the top of the net before falling on the Ram side of the court to cap a long rally. After a Ram hit long, Ada led 17-13 to prompt a US timeout.

A block kill by US ended a long rally at 19-16. A Sophie Nichols kill off an Ada block helped the Rams inch within 20-19, and a Stowers smash tied it. 

Ada hit long to give US the lead, and the Bulldogs took a timeout down 22-20.

Huffer came up with a big kill off the net, but the Rams won the last three points to seal the verdict.

Ada senior libero Sumner mustered 24 digs and served two aces.  

Junior setter Andreasen doled out 13 assists and came up with a career-high six kills. 

Sophomore Baumgartner compiled five kills and 16 digs.

Junior Robinson knocked down five kills and added a pair of blocks. Huffer contributed three kills.

Junior defensive specialist Josie Phillips is out with a hand injury. Sophomore defensive specialist Jenna Bassitt made 11 digs, while Griffith added eight digs.

It was the last home match for Ada seniors Huffer and Sumner.

"They have been good leaders on the court, and they play with a lot of energy," said Woodruff. "They want to win. Their roles will be hard to fill."

The Bulldog junior varsity won in three sets to improve their record to 14-6. The Ada freshman squad lost 2-0 to the Rams.

Ada (1-6 NWC) concludes the league regular season at last-place Spencerville (3-14, 0-7 NWC) Tuesday, Oct. 11.

The Bulldogs then open tournament play at defending state champion New Knoxville in sectional first round action October 18.