ROCKY RIVER, Ohio (Aug. 25, 2022) -- Rocky River opened its season with a 3-0 triumph over Lakewood. The Pirates swept the Rangers by scores of 25-21, 25-20, and 25-22.
Junior Samantha Young, who led Rocky River with 358 kills and a .303 hitting percentage last season, had 11 kills and 13 digs in the match. Young hit .526 and led the squad to a .290 mark, as the Pirates (1-0) opened a season with a victory over cross-bridge neighbors for the second year in a row.
River's lid-lifting win included an impressive comeback in the third set. The Maroon & White battled back from the 17-12 deficit to close out the 3-0 shutout.
"Overall, our passing and defense kept us competitive," said second-year coach Brittany Morris. "This was a great way to open up the season, and we're excited for the girls to keep learning and getting better."
Rocky River displayed solid all-round skill on their side of the net. The Pirates hit .400, while logging four service aces and two blocks in the opening set. River hit .242 while logging 19 digs against just three errors in set No. 2. In the third game, the Rocky River Swat Team hit .272 and had four players notch multiple kills. The Pirates had nine aces on the evening.
For the match, Young and sophomore Ella Brokaw (10 kills, two aces, solo block, block assist) each tallied 13-1/2 points. Madie Shoaf -- one of three seniors on the squad -- swung her way to six kills and a .307 attack mark.
Young led the team in digs with her 13 against just three errors. Junior Maggie Pfahl and freshman Kylie Spies added seven digs each.
Rocky River's .290 hitting percentage was higher than all but two of last year's single-game performances.
The Pirates' next match is slated for Tuesday (at Normandy).
CANNON FIRE ...
BACK ON THE COURT: Rocky River returns seven letterwinners from last year's 14-11 team. The team's senior leadership is comprised of Clare Duffy, Haddie Holton, and Madie Shoaf. ... The Pirates ended their 2021 campaign with a hot stretch. River went 6-2 over its last eight matches, so they are now 7-2 over their last nine efforts. The Double-R program has finished over-.500 in six straight years.
BRIDGE BATTLES: The Pirates have now taken four straight from the Rangers, dating back to 2020. Since 2007, Rocky River is 9-4 against Lakewood.
YOUNG GUN: Samantha Young was an all-district first-teamer a year ago when she collected 358 kills. Young had 221 kills as a freshman and is now just 10 kills away from 600 for her career.
by Skip Snow
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