A pair of victories for the Chillicothe High School volleyball Lady Hornets in the past eight days kept their record unblemished heading into tomorrow’s annual Chillicothe Invitational tournament, that starts at 9 a.m. in the CHS gym.
The soccer Hornets improved to 2-0 in Midland Empire Conference play in that same stretch of calendar by shutting out visiting St. Joseph: Lafayette this past Tuesday. That came after CHS’ boys were blanked 8-0 at powerhouse Marshall last week.
VOLLEYBALL
Chillicothe 3, Trenton 0
At Trenton Sept. 4, the Lady Hornets posted their expected straight-games victory, 25-8, 25-8, 25-11.
Senior middle hitter Emerson Staton led with five service aces and nine defensive “digs” and chipped in eight “kills” (spikes).
Classmate Lyla Beetsma drove home 13 “kill” shots, made eight “digs,” and served four aces.
Ava Leamer, another senior and multi-years starter, provided six “digs” and three “kills” and Kami Snyder, a sophomore, added three aces.
Chillicothe also took the junior-varsity and “C” team matches in 2-straight games.
Chillicothe 3, Brookfield 0
The Lady Hornets (3-0) ended Tuesday’s road match predictably quickly, playing for less than hour to capture 75 of the 84 points played in a symmetrical 25-3, 25-3, 25-3 non-conference sweep. With Leamer serving, Chillicothe captured the first 17 rallies of the second game.
Statistical leaders were Leamer with 10 aces and six “digs,”, senior setter Carman Woodworth with 16 assists, and Beetsma with 12 “kills” and six “digs.”
CHS took the two JV games decisively, as well.
BOYS’ SOCCER
Marshall 8, Chillicothe 0
On the Owls’ pitch Sept. 4, the Hornets “didn’t back down from the challenge” of facing the strong Owls team, CHS head coach Shannon Grable praises, but, in the end, “the experience of the Owls took over” and ended the match short of its scheduled 80 minutes.
“The youthful Hornets learned a lot and continue to get better,” the coach assessed after his team’s record shifted to 1-1 with the non-conference contest.
In goal for Chillicothe in the defeat was sophomore Jesse Hughes, who turned back nine shots.
In a hopeful sign, CHS did capture the junior-varsity match, 1-0, as Smith Link and Hughes shared the net time and frosh Mason Walter scored off a Gunner Brobst assist.
Chillicothe 2, St. Joseph: Lafayette 0
The Hornets moved to 2-0 in Midland Empire Conference action by blanking Lafayette in their first home match Tuesday.
“The guys came out with a ton of energy and worked the ball together very well,” CHS coach Shannon Grable praised. “This was particularly important because the team was without multiple players, including two captains.”
According to the coach, Chillicothe came out early with possession and created many opportunities. Midway through the first half, sophomore outside midfielder Josh Ojeaga turned the left corner and beat his defender, who tripped him inside the penalty area in his attempt to stop him.
Receiving Ojeaga a penalty kick converted for a 1-0 lead that held up until halftime. The Hornets pressured to expand it, but were unable to add on ahead of the break.
Chillicothe (2-1, 2-0 MEC) again came out aggressive in the second half with more scoring chances, but the theme of not being able to finish remained the same.
Fortunately for the hosts, their back line of Jace Collins, Hyun Lee, Ryan Schuler and Dustin Citron, with some help from Brennen Fitzpatrick, largely held the Fighting Irish attack at bay. In goal, sophomore Jesse Hughes was solid and put away the few chances that came at him.
Finally, with about 10 minutes remaining, CHS freshman Mason Walter got his first varsity goal, lacing a shot in the upper left corner to seal the win at 2-0.
The Chillicothe booters will have a 3 p.m. home match against Mexico tomorrow (Saturday).
