Late start no problem for Creek volleyball | News, Sports, Jobs

THROUGH THE NET — Indian Creek’s Riley Sadler attempts a throw-in against St. Clairsville during Tuesday’s away game. – Mike Hughes

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — While most area volleyball teams were preparing for their second or even third games Tuesday night, Indian Creek had yet to play its season opener on the road in St. Clairsville.

The Redskins wasted no time and quickly got to work, gaining an 8-0 lead over the Red Devils.

Creek won the first two sets 25-14 before a few unforced errors and some tough play from St. C. kept things close in the final set.

The Skins allowed the hosts to pull to 23-23 after a service error on point 24.

The match point came after Camryn Ketron attempted to block a drive, but it bounced off a St. C. blocker and went out the sideline, securing the win for her team.

“The girls were ready to come out and play,” noted Crystal Hammack, Indian Creek head coach. “They had really been waiting to play since June, and they came out and did what we asked them to do.

“They talked to each other, they worked together and it was very much a team effort.”

Last season, Indian Creek lost three starters to the OVAC semifinals, but the team is strong with experienced players like Cara Vandeborne, Emma Westfall and Katie Cottis patrolling the goal area, ready to score a well-placed goal.

Such sets appeared very often, especially at the beginning.

Creek not only capitalized on powerful finishing shots, but also on tip-and-drop shots that slipped just behind St. C.’s front line of blockers to score points.

St. C. adjusted to this after the first set by limiting his closing shots.

The young Red Devils squad started to play better after the first set, but glaring errors in service and attack made at inappropriate moments did not help.

Head coach Scott Harris knows his team can play. He’s seen it. It’s just a matter of getting the team used to each other and playing consistently.

“I’m not a big excuse-maker. We’re reasonable people,” Harris said as the Devils fell to 2-0, including a 3-1 blowout loss to Barnesville on Saturday. “We know what we have to do, and I felt like we were there a couple weeks ago, but we’re fighting to get back there.

“They are working to build the trust we need.”

The Devils showed flashes.

Seniors Kentleigh Reed and Ella Carpenter showed solid net play and made several impressive attacks.

The Devils need to get the little things in order, and Harris knows there are better days ahead.

“We have to sort it out because we made some unfortunate mistakes, but those are things we can control,” he said. “We can definitely sort it out.

“Our serving also hurt us. We didn’t have as many good sets and we had to hurry up more. We just have to build that confidence.”

Indian Creek will be looking to win 2-0 in their next match against Cambridge.

Meanwhile, St. C. has another tough home game on Thursday when it faces Harrison Central (2-0).

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