ROCKY RIVER, Ohio (Sept. 8, 2022) -- Rocky River earned a hard-fought 3-1 (25-17, 25-20, 27-29, 26-24) triumph over rival Bay Thursday. In an emotional home match that had two sets decided by 2 points and three games decided by 5-or-less, the Pirates remained unbeaten on the season while delivering the Rockets their first setback of the fall.

Samantha Young had 24 kills and 15 digs to lead River in a taut affair against its neighbors to the west. Those neighbors swept the Pirates in two matches a year ago, but on Thursday Bay had to scramble to avoid a 3-0 sweep at Rocky River Gymnasium. A charged atmosphere helped propel the Pirates to their 2-0 lead and eventually the home-court victory.

"It was such an exciting atmosphere in the gym," said Brittany Morris. "It was so nice to see so many fans supporting our girls. And I know how special and important this match was to our team."

The match opened with Rocky River (5-0, 2-0 Great Lakes Conference West Division) hitting .357 and winning the first game by an 8-point margin. Solid defense -- just three digging errors -- helped the Pirates win set No. 2. The Rockets (6-1, 1-1) battled back in a marathon third set, but River closed out the win by outlasting a tiring, error-prone visiting side in the fourth.

For the match, the Pirates hit .185, a season-low. Nine service aces and seven blocks loomed large in the tight contest at the Corner of Wagar & Detroit.

With her 24 kills, Young now has a team-high 90 on the season. The junior standout is averaging a career-best 5.6 kills per set. She hit .363 in Thursday's match.

Ella Brokaw (nine kills, three total blocks) and Madie Shoaf (six kills) were a force in Thursday's frontcourt effort. Sophia Goldberg also notched three blocks for Rocky River.

Ella Duffy stuffed the stat sheet with 19 assists, three aces, and 13 digs against just three errors. Kylie Spies added 12 assists and as many digs. Maggie Pfahl logged 15 digs and was solid in being one of the leaders in Rocky River's service reception effort.

That service reception effort was lauded by Morris: "The girls have been working hard in practice, and that certainly carried into this match."

Also carrying forward? An undefeated record. Someone's was moving forward after Thursday, either River's or Bay's.

It will be the Double-R that plays next with a zero still residing in that loss column. That's a right that was defended to the hilt in a maroon, white, red, and blue War by the Shore on Thursday.

And that zero will be put on the line again Tuesday when the Pirates visit the Fairview Warriors.


by Skip Snow

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