Garfield falls in battle of unbeatens
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COLUMBIANA -- In its biggest test of the 2024 girls volleyball season, Crestview passed with flying colors, sweeping Garrettsville Garfield (25-15, 25-6, 25-12) to remain undefeated and simultaneously hand the G-Men their first loss of the season.
Although both teams entered Tuesday's match with 8-0 overall records and similarly flawless Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference Grey Tier marks, both coaches agree Garfield had a noticeable edge in "energy" for the conference clash.
"Set one, we were on top of our game, and the energy shift was on our side at the beginning," Garfield head coach Ali Roach said.
That energy translated into points early on, with the G-Men keeping pace with the larger, stronger Rebels for most of the first set. However, Crestview, just as it has been for each of its first eight opponents, proved to be too much for Garfield.
"Throughout that first half, they had so much energy, and I think we were just like, 'Whoa, we need to start playing,'" Crestview hitter Abbey Emch said.
After 30 points, the two teams were tied 15-15. And then the Rebels, like Emch said, started playing. Crestview scored 10 unanswered points to capture the opening set, the G-Men's first set loss of the season.
With momentum firmly on its side, the Rebels would not allow the G-Men to get that close to a set victory again. Crestview thoroughly dominated Garfield in the second and third sets, winning 25-6 and 25-12, respectively, en route to its ninth win of the season.
"I think we have a big target on our back," Crestview coach Alisha Auer said. "We've been very successful. ... So I think once that hype settles down a little bit, we get into our flow. And I do think that's what happened tonight. I think Garfield played a really good game. They made some really nice plays. But once we settled down and settled in, we took charge."
As expected, Emch posed a considerable challenge for Garfield, which failed to contain the tall, athletic hitter. In total, Emch led the Rebels with 19 kills and 15 digs. Charlee Hill led Garfield with four kills Tuesday.
"I think the Garfield girls did a really good job lining up and getting touches on her hits," Auer said of Emch's play Tuesday. "[When] she got into the flow, we were able to get her some more middle and right-side swings, where she's super efficient."
Despite the loss, Garfield seemed anything but defeated. Even while facing a major deficit Tuesday, the G-Men laughed, smiled and danced throughout the match.
"I think they genuinely like each other," Roach said. "They've known each other from grade school, probably even playing at the local YMCA, and they support each other on and off the court. It makes a difference."
Garfield (8-1, 6-1) will attempt to rebound from Tuesday's loss with a home match vs. Mogadore on Wednesday.
With a chance to improve to 10-0, Crestview (9-0, 6-0) visits LaBrae, which Auer characterized as "solid" in another MVAC Grey match Thursday.
Auer said she and her team are eager to keep playing competitive opponents and, hopefully, keep winning.
"There's some strong teams in our conference, and there's some weaker games in our conference," Auer said. "I think our girls are just so excited to play the strong games."