AT THE NET — During Thursday’s game, Big Red’s Cena Smith tried to steal the ball past a blocking attempt by Catholic Central’s Natalie Cherebko. – Andrew Grimm
STEUBENVILLE — It certainly wasn’t easy, but this year the Big Red volleyball team earned bragging rights in the city of Steubenville.
The Big Red overcame losses in the first and third sets Thursday night inside Mickey Barber Gymnasium to defeat Catholic Central in five sets, 22-25, 25-11, 25-27, 25-13, 15-1. I broke it by 11.
“We fought back,” said Big Red head coach Logan Colabella, who was a rival on the Central side during his playing days. “The fifth set could have gone either way. This game is a battle every time. It was a hard-fought battle, but I’m proud of the girls.”
The Big Red (10-7) won the first four-set match earlier in the month to sweep the City Championship. This is the first time either team has swept the annual series since 2021, when the Big Red won both for the fourth year in a row. The teams have split the series in the past two seasons and in five of the past 10 seasons.
“I think it means a lot to them,” Colabella said of his team’s win in the rivalry. “Our seniors have been working hard since their freshman year until now. We’ve been away from them the last few years, so they’ve worked hard for this.
“We knew it was going to be tough, but it’s a great atmosphere here…I’m just really proud of the girls.”
Central (8-7) got off to a fast start and opened a 7-2 lead. The Big Red fought back with a run of its own to tie the set at 12-12, but it remained close until Central pulled away and took a 1-0 lead.
In the second set, Big Red went on a 16-2 run en route to the end of the match. In the third, Central went on a 12-5 run to extend its lead, but the Big Red pushed back to tie the score at 24 and 25 points before the Crusaders scored two straight points to regain the lead in the game.
In the fourth set, Big Red stole the fifth set from the start, but each team had their moments in the decisive fifth set.
The Big Red opened up an 8-4 advantage and Central jumped out to a 10-9 lead. However, Big Red won six of the final seven points to take the set and win the match.
“We played hard,” Central head coach Shelley Barber said. “We didn’t block as well as we did the first time. We served well. I told the guys we played hard. It’s disappointing for the seniors. We didn’t make any adjustments that I could have made. Guess again.
“Big Red has some great hitters. They both played well when we played them.”
It was also a milestone night for Big Red senior Caitlin Smith, who had 24 assists, surpassing her 1,000th career assist. She added seven points, five kills and an ace.
Also for Big Red, Annalisa Perdue had 10 kills, seven points and two aces, Emma Lyons had 10 kills, Aubrey Slusser had 17 assists, Julianna Kramer had 10 kills and Aaliyah Bigsby had 11. Kill and Kayla Biasi scored eight points.
For the Crusaders, Ava Marcino had 13 kills, 10 assists and 15 points, Lily Balzano had 4 kills, 7 assists and 12 points, Natalie Cherebko had 9 kills and 16 points, and Julia Nurczyk had 7 kills, 12 digs and 15 points. Recorded the score.
“We still have some big games left,” Barber said.
to the next
Big Red: Hosts Beaver Local on Tuesday.
Central: Travels to Brook on Tuesday.
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