By Michael Lindsay
The Clarkrange Lady Buffaloes started their 2023 volleyball season in style Monday afternoon as they swept rival York Institute, 3-0.
Clarkrange won 25-21, 25-17 and 25-19 for the sweep to start out District 7A play 1-0.
“We made some simple mistakes that we need to correct, but I saw some good things out of our team,” said head coach Cindy Stowers. “Payton Manis was big with the blocks tonight. Payton Cleary came in and got some blocks and a few good hits as well. Chloe Dailey got a few good hits in there and Chloe Rogers impressed me with some of her hits and smart play.”
Clarkrange came out of the gate hot as the Lady Buffaloes took an 8-1 lead to start the first set. York Institute answered with a 6-1 run to cut Clarkrange’s lead to 9-7. The Lady Buffaloes held a narrow advantage until York Institute finally caught them to tie the set at 18 all via an Emma Cooper block.
The teams tied again at 21 before Clarkrange retook the lead 22-21 via a Payton Manis block. Clarkrange finished the first set on a 4-0 run to win it 25-21.
York Institute held an early 7-5 advantage in the second set before Clarkrange regained control at 8-7. The Lady Buffaloes pulled away in the second set to win 25-17 and set up a chance to sweep the match in the third.
The Dragonettes came out strong in the third set as they took a 13-6 lead over Clarkrange. The Lady Buffaloes didn’t stay down long as they answered with a 12-5 run to tie the set at 18 via a Sara Gunter ace.
Clarkrange took a 19-18 lead on a Sophia Sitton kill as they surged ahead to win the final set and complete the sweep, 25-19.
“We have a tendency to start out really well, then fall off and let them back in the game,” coach Stowers said. “I’m proud of how the girls stepped up and overcame the deficit to win that third set.”
Clarkrange has a busy week ahead as the Lady Buffaloes host Monterey on Tuesday before traveling to York Institute on Thursday.
“We started this last week (in preseason),” Stowers said. “We played 4 days last week and we’ve had two play days this year. They were one game right after the other and that helped prepare us for the speed of the season.”
York Institute is scheduled to host Red Boiling Springs on Tuesday at 5:30 before Thursday’s rematch with Clarkrange.
