NEW WASHINGTON — Getting a quality win a week before sectional tournament play is the perfect recipe for a volleyball team.
Buckeye Central (16-5, 10-3) did just that on Tuesday, downing Carey 25-18, 25-19, 25-14 in Northern 10 Athletic Conference action.
Head coach Missy McDougal praised her team’s effort in a win that avenged a sweep dealt by the Blue Devils on Sept. 12.
“We felt like we didn’t play well at Carey, but the scores were still respectable. We needed a big win. We lost to Mohawk in five sets on a controversial end and the girls wanted this,” she said.
The victory puts Buckeye Central in sole possession of second place. Mohawk (13-0) has secured the league title with one game remaining for each team.
The last win for Buckeye Central over Carey was three years ago.
Adrienne Jury and Aleyse Siefert got early kills to push the hosts to a 5-0 lead in the opening set. Mohawk went on a 12-7 run to tie it at 12.
Parker Vackert’s pair of kills aided the Blue Devils. Vackert, one of seven seniors on the roster, led Carey with 10 kills.
“They played well and communicated well,” McDougal said. “They hustled and played with a lot of energy. We’re trying to peak at the right time.”
Carey (14-6, 9-4) fell behind 12-7 in set two despite Payton Vackert and Eliza Weinandy’s kills. Vackert added four kills, along with Abbi Seager.
Jury, Mara McDougal, and Emma Keller were tough along the net all match.
Head coach Stacy Bell said her team fell behind early and couldn’t recover.
“We got in a deep hole in the first set and then battled back. But then we lost our confidence. One of my strongest outside (hitters) got hurt in warm-ups. When I pulled her out, people came in and stepped up a little bit who aren’t used to playing,” she said.
“But we just didn’t cohesively mesh well for the rest of the match.”
The first-round win over Buckeye Central might have been a detriment.
“We beat them 3-0 last time. We came in maybe thinking we’re going to do the same thing. And nope. You’ve got to be ready for a battle,” Bell said.
Carey did battle but fell behind 10-5 in the third set. Payton Vackert’s pair of serving aces and points from Emily Brodman and Raigan Kessler aided the effort.
But Jury and McDougal again countered as the Buckettes built a 23-10 lead, before winning 25-14.
“The upper classmen are doing a great job, especially Mara has been that leader. She’s always trying to pick someone up, always talking. That rubs off on the juniors and they all did a great job tonight,” McDougal said.
“AJ had a great game. She wasn’t intimidated by their block. Parker Vackert is a great player, and we have nothing but respect for her. AJ was cutting the ball off the block, and we got hands on balls.”
Carey missed some opportunities.
“When they have a double block on Parker, it opens it up for other hitters. But we didn’t capitalize on that,” Bell said. “Our defense was not very strong. Our serve-receive was very weak so we couldn’t really get her the ball like we normally do.”
Brodman and Rachel Reinhart had nine digs each for the Blue Devils. Payton Vackert registered 18 assists.
Both teams finish regular season play this week before tournament play. Carey hosts Bucyrus on Thursday and plays Monroeville Saturday morning.
Next Wednesday the Blue Devils play a Division VI sectional final at Western Reserve against Northwood at 7:30 p.m.
“Hopefully, we can regroup and have a good practice tomorrow,” she said.
Buckeye Central hosts Bucyrus Wednesday at 6 p.m. in their D-VI sectional.
“The girls hit almost every spot I gave them tonight. We’ve got Upper Sandusky on Thursday, and I’ve challenged the girls to come out and play like we did tonight. We want to develop some consistency,” McDougal said.
“This is a huge win for us, and it gives us that momentum going into the end of the season.”
Carey won the junior varsity match 25-22, 25-22.