ROCKY RIVER, Ohio -- The Pirates battled back from a hard-fought first-game loss, as Rocky River defeated North Royalton, 3-1, on Monday night.

The Double-R Swat Team was efficient on the attack, with the Maroon & White posting a .261 hitting mark for the match. The Pirates fell, 25-20, in set No. 1. They rebounded with three straight (25-16, 25-16, 25-22) over the Bears to close out the non-conference victory.

Freshman Samantha Young had a big night for River, collecting 16 kills while hitting .277. The versatile freshman also had 15 digs in the match. Paige Waite added 10 kills while swinging her way to a .529 mark. Sophomore Clare Duffy logged nine kills and a team-high 21 digs.

Madie Shoaf swatted her way to eight kills without a hitting error. Shoaf hit .275. She and the rest of the River frontcourt benefited from the good work of setter Emily Slyman, who registered 43 assists.

With Monday's win at the Corner of Wagar & Detroit, Rocky River (9-5) has now six of its last eight matches.


CANNON FIRE ...

THE WAITE IS KILLING THEM: Paige Waite logged her 500th career kill on Monday. The junior standout is hitting over .400 in River's last seven matches, and she's peppered foes with 52 kills over the Pirates' last four events. Waite has registered 501 kills in two-and-a-half seasons wearing Double-R colors.


by Skip Snow