The Wadsworth Volleyball team started the regular season on a successful note as they shutout the Mentor Lady Cardinals 3-0 (25-20, 25-13, 25-14).
As most would expect, the three senior captains of Wadsworth had a big hand in the victory. Jenna Johnson, Jodi Johnson and Haley Witschey helped to settle the team down after a nervous first set.
But, it was a freshman outside hitter playing her first varsity match that filled up the stat line for the Lady Grizzlies.
6-foot freshman Kacie Evans led Wadsworth in kills with 12 and digs with 15. Lady Grizzlies head coach Jill Klingbeil said “I thought Kacie had a great debut. She had great stats. I think Jodi helped to calm her down, which was nice. We have the leadership out there to take care of those things”.
Junior setter Sophia Chirumbole had 16 assists and a couple of service aces for Wadsworth.
Coach Klingbeil was pleased with getting the win, but knows the team is still a work in progress.
“We brought a lot of energy and in the first set maybe some jitters. But, once we got into a rhythm it started to flow and we started getting it. Those jitters I talked about in that first set, once the ball goes up, they have to go away.”
The Lady Grizzlies won’t have a long time to enjoy that first win of the season. They’re back in action Tuesday night at home when they take on Stow-Munroe Falls High School. It’s also the first match in the Suburban League.