After winning the first two sets against visiting Columbus North Thursday night, Columbus East had a little trouble finding its offense in the third set.
So after the Bull Dogs won handily in the third set to cut into the Olympians’ lead, East coach Stacie Pagnard switched things up. She moved second setter Katy Jordan to right-side hitter, moved freshman defensive specialist Kenzie Foster to libero and moved libero Cadence Gilley to setter to help starting setter Mady Foster run a 6-2 offense.
The adjustment paid off. The Olympians controlled the fourth set to finish off a 25-17, 25-16, 16-25, 25-14 victory.
"I can’t speak to the resiliency of my kids," Pagnard said. "We started in a modified 5-1 and then after that third set, we got a little shaky with passing, and we switched to a 6-2, and they didn’t miss a beat. When you’re under this pressure with this environment and the rivalry on the line, for them to come out and play with poise that fourth set was huge."
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The Olympians (12-7) never trailed in the first two sets. They led 23-17 in the first when freshman Gabby Dean came up with a block and a kill to finish off the set. The second set ended with a tip kill by Jordan.
The Bull Dogs (7-13) came alive in the third set. The never trailed in the set, but East was within 19-16 before North got a sideout, and Reagan Kane served five consecutive points to close it.
In the fourth set, East led 11-9 before going on a 10-1 run behind the serving of Allison Mack and Kenzie Foster to take a 21-10 lead. Jordan, who had switched from setter for the fourth set, ended the match with a kill.
"We just had to keep playing our game and fighting," Mady Foster said. "We knew they weren’t going to lay down for us, so we just had to make sure we were on point."
Rilee Jessee pounded 19 kills, Mady Foster recorded 15 assists, Gabby Dean had five blocks, Mack tallied 24 digs and Kenzie Foster served two aces to lead the Olympians.
"Kenzie Foster did a great job coming in and playing poised in her first East-North match," Pagnard said. "She was huge passing and defensively there in that fourth set."
Also for East, Jordan notched six kills and six assists, and Mack and Reece Whitehead each added four kills. Regann Jessee had two blocks, Rilee Jessee contributed 16 digs, Kenzie Foster added 13 digs and Whitehead had 11 digs.
Sarah Bennett pounded eight kills and nine blocks, and Kane had 30 assists and three aces to lead North. Emma Tynan notched eight kills, and Sydney Cooper tallied 17 digs.
Also for the Bull Dogs, Gabby Genth, Madison White and Madi Roop all had six kills and five blocks. Kate Whaley recorded 15 digs, Kane added 10 digs and Carley Finke served one ace.
"We were pretty inconsistent tonight," North coach Caitie Greiner said. "I think we came out with a lot of energy, but jitters kind of took over, and we were playing a little tense. But we came out in the third game and really played the way I know the girls can, and they did a great job. It’s really difficult to come out with that much fire and intensity after losing two games and be able to win that third set, so I commend my girls for that. But we just have to play a little bit more consistent volleyball."
