Acrancum ends National Trail Volleyball season in straight sets in opening round of the tournament

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NEW PARIS — The National Trail Volleyball team saw its season come to an end when it lost to Arcanum during the first round of sectional play on Saturday, Oct. 17, in straight sets.

The Blazers fell behind early as the team came out “flat” according to head coach Joy Yeazel, and the Trojans quickly won the first set by a score of 25-11.

The Trojans took control of the match in the second set with a 25-18 victory. Despite leading in the third set by a score of 17-11, the Blazers were unable to add one more set to their season as the Trojans came back for a 25-20 victory.

The loss ended the Blazers’ season. They entered the season as a young team in terms of volleyball experience, and Yeazel said a few mistakes in the third set derailed the momentum and the team never recovered.

Shania Jordan had eight kills in the match while Alexus Acton added six kills and 13 digs.

Rise Griffin had 14 digs and Ariel Lee and Alexis Niswonger each had two aces.

The team also finished the regular season but suffered three losses to close it out, as the team fell to Middletown Madison, Ansonia and Tri-Village.

Monday, Oct. 12, marked the team’s Volley for the Cure event, but it was Madison who came out victorious, winning 25-22, 16-25, 25-20 and 25-22.

Lee had four aces and 12 service points, Kortney Rae had 12 service points and 16 assists. Acton added 17 kills and Griffin had 26 digs.

On Tuesday, Oct 13, they hosted Senior Night with Ansonia coming to town, but the Blazers were unable to win in the final set, dropping the match three sets to two.

The first set saw the Blazers get a quick start as they won 25-19. The Tigers came back to win the second and third 25-18 and 25-19.

The Blazers had a big third set, winning 25-8, but were unable to close the match out in the final set, losing 18-16.

Acton had five aces and 11 service points in her final home game, Jordan had 13 kills and 11 assists, Rae added 18 assists and 10 digs while Griffin added 15 digs and 28 good serve receptions.

On Thursday, Oct. 15, the team traveled to Tri-Village, losing in five sets once again by scores of 25-15, 25-23, 21-25, 23-25 and 28-15.

Lee and Rae both had five aces, Acton had 11 kills and three solo blocks while Kaitlyn Morgan had eight kills. Rae, Griffin and Acton each had 13 digs.

Yeazel said the team is much improved from the beginning of the season but needs to continue to develop in terms of “mental toughness” in the off-season.

Kortney Rea bumps a volley as Alexus Acton backs her up during National Trail’s Volley for the Cure match-up against Madison on Monday, Oct. 12.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2015/10/web1_DSC_0104.jpgKortney Rea bumps a volley as Alexus Acton backs her up during National Trail’s Volley for the Cure match-up against Madison on Monday, Oct. 12. Jeremy Erskine | The Register-Herald

Alexus Acton rises up for a spike during National Trail’s Volley for the Cure match-up against Madison on Monday, Oct. 12.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2015/10/web1_DSC_0152.jpgAlexus Acton rises up for a spike during National Trail’s Volley for the Cure match-up against Madison on Monday, Oct. 12. Jeremy Erskine | The Register-Herald

By Austin Schmidt

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Reach Austin Schmidt at 937-683-4062 or on Twitter @aschmidt_RH.

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