By Cort Reynolds

ARLINGTON - Following a nine-day layoff, the Ada volleyball team faced Hardin County foe Ridgemont in second round Div. IV sectional competition at Arlington Thursday night.

After receiving a bye to begin defense of its district crown, rust was not a factor as the Lady Bulldogs took down the Golden Gophers in straight sets with relative ease by a 25-11, 25-12, 25-16 count.

With the win, third seed Ada improved to 12-11 and advanced to the district semifinals at Findlay vs. top seed Arlington (18-5). Ridgemont, which beat Cory-Rawson in the first round, ends its season 12-9 after the defeat.

Sophomore Megan Light led the Ada hitters with 11 kills and added one block. Junior setter Sidney Gossard dished out 23 assists and knocked down six kills.

Senior Rilan Conley hammered seven kills, came up with eight digs and served three aces. She also made one block.

Senior Raina England contributed five kills.

Senior libero Morgan Swick came up with eight digs and dealt four aces. Sophomore Miranda Wills drilled four kills and came up with nine digs.

The district semifinal vs. number one seed Arlington will be held Monday, Oct. 22 in Findlay at 6 p.m. The Red Devils swept Ada 25-16, 25-21 back on Saturday, Sept. 1 in Arlington.

Arlington eliminated USV 3-0 in their sectional second round match Thursday evening.

The district finals are set for Thursday, Oct. 25 at Findlay starting at 7:30 p.m.

McComb (17-6) is the second seed in the district, while Ada was seeded third and Carey (11-12) was fourth. Carey swept Hardin Northern 3-0 Thursday in their sectional match.

Arlington nipped McComb 3-2 in regular season BVC play.