ROCKY RIVER, Ohio (Sept. 10, 2024) -- Rocky River hosted a Battle of the Bridge contest against Cleveland West Conference foe Lakewood Tuesday. The Pirates filed 24 more errors than their visitors and suffered a 3-2 setback in a hard-fought match comprised of 214 total points. Lakewood prevailed 25-27, 25-21, 25-19, 23-25, 15-9.
The Maroon & White hit .167 in the opening game and .174 in the third, but the Pirates scuffled their way to a .036 mark over the second, fourth, and fifth sets. For the match, the Rangers (3-7, 2-3 CWC) out-hit River .172 to .085.
The cross-river tussle marked Rocky River's first loss of the 2024 season. The Lakewood victory snapped a five-match Pirate win streak in the series. The match marked the second in a row between the Pirates (4-1, 4-1) and Rangers to go five sets. In their last meeting (Sept. 21 at RRHS), the Double-R topped Lakewood 3-2.
On Tuesday, senior Ella Brokaw ledgered 19 kills against two errors. Brokaw -- who now has 37K over Rocky River's last two matches -- hit a robust .395.
Sophia Goldberg had 9K and a .156 attack percentage. Kylie Spies registered 34 assists, seven digs, and six aces. Lilly Cupp had 19D and four aces. The Pirates (13) and Rangers (12) combined for 25 aces in the match.
Lakewood got 16K from Olivia Baker. Layla Smith logged 5K, 5D, and five aces. The Rangers had five players clock nine digs or more.
Tuesday's tilt was the front end of a week that has the Buccaneers hosting two CWC matches at the Corner of Wagar & Detroit. The Pirates will transition from Battle of the Bridge to War by the Shore: they'll host the Bay Rockets Thursday.
by Skip Snow
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