The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
KENSTON WINS WRC IN FIVE-SET CLASSIC
Chardon rallies, but Bombers claim crown on home court
Kenston and Chardon had been atop the Western Reserve Conference standings the entire season, and when the two met on Oct. 12, the stakes couldn’t have been higher. With a win, Kenston would lock up its WRC title since 2015, while if the Hilltoppers were victorious, they would have kept a chance to split the title alive.
The Bombers started the match fast, as they took the first two sets. But Chardon swung momentum in its favor and took the third set to stay alive. After the Hilltoppers took the fourth set as well, it came down to the fifth and final set.
“The message was simple before the final set, that we knew we had to win,” said Kenston’s Julia Sell. “We really wanted this game on our senior night. Last time we played Chardon, we beat them in three. After we won the first two, they had their comeback. So we knew we were going to be in for a fight until the end.”
Chardon took four of the first five points, but the Bombers rallied to tie it up and surged ahead. And when Riley Rosneck had her kill attempt hit the court, the celebration was on for Kenston.
“It was exciting, and every time I can get a kill I want to slam it down,” said Rosneck. “You have to want that feeling and that challenge of being able to get the ball down and get the point for your team.”
After the first two sets, Chardon needed to make some adjustments if it wanted to stay in the game. Coach Ali Fisher knew this and the Hilltoppers came into the third set aggressive in both the serve and receive portions of their attack.
“We were really able to mentally reset,” said Fisher.
“We were playing a little scared in the first two sets. We settled into our rotation and knew that that was going to be our chance. We had our backs against the wall so we had to come out fighting. They really started to lean on each other and put each other in the best positions while they were out there.”
It took some time for Kenston to make the
needed adjustments, but the Bombers eventually found their stride in the receiving game come the fifth set. Kenston had a fourpoint run during which their receiving played a crucial role. Maria Insana knew that run was going to get Kenston the win.
“We ran some different defenses and switched back and forth a little bit tonight,” said Insana. “This win is amazing for us and something that we've been working for for a very long time. That run late was crucial. You have those two
to three-point runs and it gives you a lot of energy while it gets the other team in their own head.”
While head coach Christian Jolley is happy with the title, he knew the match was going to be a good measuring stick for how his team will look in the postseason. And a five-set win in which his team overcame adversity was exactly what he wanted to see.
“I've said since Day One that was our goal,” said Jolley. “But it doesn't mean we're done yet even though it's a huge milestone for us. We are a really battle-tested team. We've been in the fifth set more times than I care to count, so I don't get too worried when we get into those situations. It's really good for the postseason and helps get us ready for some of those tougher matches that we're going to have.”
Both teams return to the court on Oct. 14 to close the regular season. Kenston wraps up WRC play as it travels to Madison, while Chardon plays host to Nordonia in nonconference play.