Stop me if you’ve heard this before … the Olentangy Orange volleyball team used a fast start to take control on its way to a victory over its rival.
Last week the Pioneers started 14-4 on its way to an easy first-set victory in a straight-set win over rival Olentangy Liberty.
Well, Orange used another 14-4 start in an easy first-set victory over rival Olentangy.
“They’re both great programs … programs that (we) haven’t been able to beat in the past except in the last year,” Orange coach Katie Duy said. “So, I think it’s just motivation. We have an extremely competitive group of kids.”
This time, though, the Pioneers needed four sets to get a 25-12, 25-19, 23-25, 25-21 win at home Tuesday night in Lewis Center.
Orange (9-1, 4-0) is the only remaining undefeated team in the OCC-Buckeye – a game ahead of rivals Olentangy and Liberty.
First year Olentangy coach Sarah Wilson was happy with her team’s resilience after the slow start.
“I was really impressed with the group,” she said. “Earlier in the season, when we started – we stayed slow. I was just so proud and so impressed with how they fought back … and then they finished that third set really strong. I couldn’t be more proud of them tonight.”
Orange seems to have someone different step up in each game. This time it was junior Taylor Metzler, who had 13 kills for the Pioneers.
“I can point to someone different almost in every match,” Duy said. “This was her match. She hit .375 … and had some kills in key situations.
“It seemed like when the game was starting to get a little tight or they were closing in and they were starting get some momentum – she was the momentum-killer.”
Metzler cites communication as key to her team’s success this season.
“(We talk) a lot more on the floor and trust each other that we can do our jobs,” she said.
Freshman London Davis led Orange with 15 kills, Madison Moll had 9 and Carrigan O’Reilly had 8 to go with a gaudy 44-assist performance.
Megan McCollum had 30 digs and Sydney Gossard finished with five blocks to lead the Pioneers.
Olivia Margolies had 10 kills and 14 digs, Bobby Diamond had 14 kills, Madyson Chitty had 21 digs, Maggie Samijlenko had 19 assists and Maris Kaiser had 4 blocks to lead Olentangy (8-3, 3-1).
“What you ask your girls – you expect out of them. I asked them to be strong, I asked them to be tough and I asked them to fight back for it and they did,” Wilson said. “So – in my eyes – they did exactly what I asked them to do.”
Next up, both teams continue league play Tuesday. Olentangy hosts rival Olentangy Liberty and Orange visits Westerville North.
