The Oak Glen Golden Bears claimed victory in the OVAC 4A volleyball championship, defeating Beaver Local in a tightly contested match. Both teams showcased their skills during the first three sets, with the Golden Bears winning the first and third sets and the Beavers taking the second.
In the fourth set, Beaver Local started strong, jumping to a 7-0 lead. However, the Golden Bears fought back, eventually taking the set and winning the match. This victory marks Oak Glen’s 13th OVAC volleyball title, making it the third-most in the conference’s history, following Buckeye Trail and East Liverpool.
Bears’ head coach Morgan Sadler emphasized the importance of staying focused during the fourth set. “Volleyball is a game of momentum, and it was critical that we played Oak Glen volleyball and nothing less,” she said. “They were able to battle back and keep their composure, which led to our win.”
With this victory, Oak Glen’s record improved to 21-3-3 as they prepare for the West Virginia postseason and their quest to defend their Class AA state title. “Every day is a grind,” Sadler added. “October is a long month, and we keep working to be where we want to be at the end.”
The Bears’ offensive efforts were led by middle hitters Averi Martin (junior) and Reecelyn Craig (senior), who recorded 15 and 14 kills, respectively. Martin also contributed with 7.5 blocks. Other notable attackers included McKenzi Martin, Brooklyn Six, and Tia Vick, but it was Craig and Averi Martin who stood out during the match at the East Central Ohio Service Center on the Ohio University Eastern campus.
“We try to stretch our offense as much as possible,” Sadler said. “Reecelyn definitely stepped up today and was a huge asset, as was Averi. Both middle players performed exceptionally well. It was a full team effort.”
Brooklyn Six added 10 kills, while McKenzi Martin contributed eight kills and two aces. The Golden Bears effectively attacked through, off, and around blocks while also surprising the Beavers with timely tip shots. “That’s something we’ve practiced a lot this season to increase our volleyball IQ, and it paid off,” Sadler noted.
The final score mirrored an earlier matchup between the two teams, which Oak Glen also won 3-1.
Beaver Local had strong performances as well, with Jocelyn Pomeroy leading with eight kills. Eva McKnight, Adison Ketchum, Sydney McNear, and Bria Boyd each contributed three kills, with Boyd also providing six assists. Ketchum added six blocks with solid net play.
Oak Glen’s Mikalyn Balch provided 43 assists during the match. Before the 2023 and 2024 OVAC championships, Oak Glen last won the OVAC 4A crown in 2019, while Beaver Local and East Liverpool Potters claimed titles from 2020 to 2022.
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