The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Avon’s SWC vise grip endures with win
If you’re looking for a microcosm of Avon’s four-set victory over rival Amherst on Sept. 22, look no further than the opening point of the third set.
The ball flew back and forth over the net for almost a full minute, as various Comets and Eagles dove to the floor to dig the ball over the net. It was an incredible display of effort and skill from both teams.
But in the end the point — much like the match — went Avon’s way.
“I think the team who’s going to win is the team that wants it more. And I just really wanted it,” Avon sophomore Avery Abfall said. “I kept telling Emma (Farney) to set me the ball, I told her I have confidence and I know I can do it. With the help of her, it just came together very nicely.”
The two previously unbeaten teams traded the first 11 points of that third set, until the Eagles opened up a fourpoint lead. Abfall was the catalyst for Avon, tallying 11 of her game-high 24 kills in the set.
Senior Amanda Demmerle added an ace during the run that put the Eagles up four.
Minutes later, Amherst’s Laken Voss answered with back-to-back aces of her own to pull the Comets within one before they forced a tie at 23.
But again, it was the Eagles who came out on top in the set, 29-27.
“I told the girls that I thought our experience in situations like this gave us a little bit more of an edge,” Avon coach Julie Bendzuck said. “There were times when serving was the difference maker. We were keeping them out of system, because when they’re in system they are hard to stop.”
In set four, Amherst found its way into system as hitter Nia Hall poured in three of her 16 kills to stake the Comets to an 8-3 lead. Laken Voss added some of her team-high 21 kills as well as the Comets’ dangerous attack roared to life.
“All of my hitters have grown. I think Laken is better this year than she was last year,” Amherst coach Laurie Cogan said. “Nia, if you give her the right set, you can’t stop her. Avon had no answer, and most teams have no answer for her if she reaches high because she just jumps out of the gym and she’s so powerful.”
But again, the Eagles found their way back into the set with service as Demmerle and Farney served aces before Avon tied things up at 22.
Three points later, Avon had completed the comeback taking the fourth set, and the match.
Now in the driver’s seat for a fifth straight Southwestern Conference title, Avon moves its focus to Avon Lake on Sept. 24. For senior Emily Gardner, the chance to win a fifth straight title is important.
“To play and win every single time we’ve come into this gym feels amazing,” she said. “It’s kind of sad (playing at Amherst a final time), but we’re on to bigger things. Obviously a five-peat is a great thing for a school and program.”