OLD WASHINGTON − In preparing her team for the new volleyball season, Buckeye Trail head coach Wendy McVicker has spent her time consistently telling her Warriors' squad ... It's our time, it's our turn to bring home an Inter-Valley Conference title.
Thus far this young season, the Warriors have looked the part of a league championship caliber squad, sporting a sparkling 6-0 overall mark and a 2-0 record in conference play.
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The Warriors faced a huge test by hosting perennial IVC power Tuscarawas Central Catholic, which entered in first in the IVC North Division with a 3-0 mark.
Buckeye Trail never flinched, taking a huge step in reaching that goal by collecting a hard-fought, five-set victory by scores of 25-22, 25-12, 22-25, 24-26, 15-13 over the Saints and staying perfect on the young season.
Warriors setting sights on IVC championship
With the two squads each grabbing a pair of sets, the teams went to that decisive fifth set to determine the winner and it was the Buckeye Trail (7-0, 3-0), which stayed atop the IVC standings.
"These girls deserve to get an IVC title, they have worked so hard," McVicker said. "I've told them to go after it, it's your turn and lets go get it. Beating a strong team like TCC, who is always at the top of the IVC is a huge confidence builder for my girls.
"These girls come every day to practice and give it all they have," McVicker added. "They have the talent and are just such a hard working group of kids who I just love working with. From the minute they hit the gym at practice, right up to the end they just never quit. I feel this is just a special group of girls and we are working to make this a special season."
Saints battle back from slow start
Buckeye Trail looked like it was headed for a sweep by grabbing the first two sets, but the Saints showed why they are one of the top teams consistently in the IVC.
"I thought we really played well in the third, fourth and fifth sets," TCC coach Kristen Trivoli said. "Buckeye Trail is a very strong team and jumped out on us to go up 2-0 real quick. I'm really proud of my girls for working together and pushing to get back into the match.
"They did a great job bouncing back in that third and fourth set to pull even," Trivoli added. "But then in that fifth set, we got behind early which is never good. We had some unforced errors that hurt, but again Buckeye Trail is a very good team. It was a really hard fought match tonight, and I'm proud of my girls."
The Saints slipped to 5-3 overall and 3-1 in the IVC, as they got a strong effort from Jess Selinsky with 30 assists, 16 digs with three aces. Khloe Trivoli finished with 19 kills, 12 digs and five blocks with Ryann Walker adding 18 digs with three service aces and Nora Jackson collecting 20 digs for TCC.
Trail embraces team concept, with contributions from many
Buckeye Trail has displayed a deep roster, getting contributions throughout, which McVicker feels is a strength of her team.
"I just can't say enough about every single one of my players," McVicker said. "They all put in the time and effort necessary, and each one has contributed to our successful start to the season. It's a special group of kids, who play for each other without egos. Everyone is focused on the end result, which is winning games."
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Leading the way were Kayla Hinkle with a team-high 15 points, five aces, six digs and four blocks with Vayda Neuhart finishing with 13 points, two aces, six digs, 13 kills and five blocks. Anna McVicker was busy with eight points, four aces, nine digs, seven kills and two blocks, while also handing out a team-best 33 assists.
Karsyn Oldson contributed nine points, seven assists and four digs, Sydney Patterson chipped in seven points, four assists and 15 digs and Jersey Eddy added six points, four digs, 12 kills and five blocks for the Warriors.
KSutton1@gannett.com; X: @KSuttonDJSports; Instagram: kevinsutton_dailyjeffsports
This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: Buckeye Trail volleyball stays perfect with key IVC victory
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