Monday, September 16, 2024
September 15 Volleyball Wrap-up
[photo: Addison Kota reached down for a dig during the September 9 home volleyball game against Falconer
The Gowanda Varsity volleyball team traveled to Falconer on Monday, September 9. While both teams were 2-0 coming into the contest, Falconer had faced stiffer competition and was a big challenge for Gowanda. Falconer set the tone building an early 9-1 lead in the first set. The Gowanda production improved past that point, but not enough to prevent Falconer from winning the first set 25-12.
Gowanda led 1-0 and 2-1 early in the second set before Falconer spurted ahead to lead 13-5. The Golden Falcons advantage maxed out at 21-11. Gowanda was able to come back a little, but not enough to stop Falconer from closing out a 25-19 win. Down 2 sets to 0, Gowanda entered the critical third set. Again Falconer slowly built a lead. Gowanda was down 14-24 when they went on a final push. After stealing a potential match-winning point away from Falconer, Elizabeth Green came up to serve for Gowanda. The team piled up 8 consecutive points, including a pair of aces, to bring the score to 23-24. Falconer stopped the run there locking up a 25-23 win in the set and a 3-0 match win.
Topping the Gowanda effort were Holland Browning (7 kills, 13 digs, 1 ace), Addison Kota (6 kills, 2 assists, 7 digs, 1 ace) and Jillian Gernatt (17 assists, 5 digs). The rest of the team stats are as follows: Corrina John (3 kills, 3 blocks), Elizabeth Green (3 kills, 7 digs, 4 aces), Lauren Kelly (2 kills), Sydney Smith (6 digs), Tessa Kohn (5 digs) and Maleina Maines (2 digs).
The next day, September 10, the team looked to rebound as they traveled to Ellicottville. The Gowanda girls got off to a slow start and trailed for most of the first set. They did manage to pull into a tie at 22-22 before Ellicottville pulled away for a 25-22 win. Gowanda regrouped and proceeded to dominate the second set taking a 25-10 victory. The team went on to win the next two sets by identical 25-15 scores to capture the match 3-1.
Leading Gowanda were Corrina John (11 kills, 9 blocks), Addison Kota (10 kills, 1 assist, 5 digs), Elizabeth Green (8 kills, 1 ace), Holland Browning (6 kills, 6 digs 1 block) and Jillian Gernatt (3 kills, 25 assists, 1 dig). Other stats include Lauren Kelly (4 kills, 3 aces, 2 blocks), Bella Maines (11 assists), Cadence Luther (1 kill, 2 blocks), Sydney Smith (6 digs), Aubrey Smuda (5 digs, 1 ace), Maleina Maines (3 digs, 1 ace) and Tessa Kohn (1 dig).
Closing out the week, the girls volleyball team was Cassadaga Valley on Friday, September 13. The pattern remained the same, a bit of a slow start, followed but a big rebound and cruising to victory. Set scores were 25-20, 25-12 and 25-15 for a 3-0 match win.
Top stats go to Lauren Kelly (4 kills, 1 dig, 1 ace, 4 blocks), Holland Browning (3 kills, 1 dig, 2 aces), Addison Kota (2 kills, 4 digs, 3 aces, 1 block), Elizabeth Green (3 kills, 1 dig), Corrina John (3 kills) and Jillian Gernatt (12 assists, 1 ace). Also making a mark in the game were Maleina Moses (2 kills), Aubrey Smuda (2 aces), Sydney Smith (2 digs, 3 aces), Bella Maines (2 assists) and Cadence Luther (1 block).