PARMA HEIGHTS, Ohio (Oct. 13, 2022) -- Rocky River closed out its regular season with a hard-fought loss in the 2022 Great Lakes Conference Championship Match. The Pirates nearly went point-for-point with their talented 18-win hosts, but the Holy Name Green Wave prevailed 3-0 (25-21,25-23,25-21).
The GLC West Division champs were forced into 34 dig errors by a powerful Holy Name frontcourt that went into the match hitting .257 for the season. But the Pirates battled throughout, staying close to a Green Wave (18-4) squad that has lost just since since Sept. 10.
"The girls fought all night but just kept falling short," said coach Brittany Morris. "Holy name is a good team, and they play great defense and have a lot of weapons in the front row."
Rocky River (15-6) hit .169 for the match and had its most blocks in a single match (nine) since Aug. 30 (nine vs. Normandy). The team's 34 dig errors marked River's most in a three-set match since Oct. 10, 2019 (37 vs. Fairview).
The Pirates were led by junior hitter Samantha Young, who authored a 16-kill, 16-dig, three-block evening while hitting .250. Young's first kill of the second set was a milestone swat that moved her past Ava Rauser (928K from 2015-18) and into first place on the program's all-time kill list. The junior talent now has 359 kills this season and is 22 kills away from breaking River's single-season mark (Maureen Kessler 380K in 2008).
Freshman Kylie Spies also had an impressive night for the visiting side. Spies registered 15 digs against just two errors while also dishing out 15 assists.
Maggie Pfahl added 19 digs and three assists. Madie Shoaf chipped in with seven kills and two total blocks, and Haddie Holton logged six kills.
The Buccaneer blockade was led by Ella Brokaw, who had two kills and tied her season-high with 5 TB.
The Pirates will now head into postseason play. Rocky River is the No. 11 seed in DI Region 1 in the Buckeye State tournament. On Tuesday, River will host Kennedy in the
Maple Heights District Tournament.
by Skip Snow