Columbus East kept the streak going.
It’s been 2002 since the Olympians fell to crosstown rival Columbus North in the regular season, but a forfeit gave the Bull Dogs a win in 2005.
North felt like this could be a time to break that streak. However, the Olympians brought a lot of intensity and energy and came up with more crucial points to make the Bull Dogs wait another year by claiming a 25-19, 22-25, 25-23, 25-21 volleyball victory Thursday night at the Orange Pit.
“The rivalry match always brings out the best in people,” East coach Ellyn McIntosh said. “Obviously, we’re getting their best, and we had to give it our best. Everything we had heard before this game fueled the girls. They were ready. They were prepared.”
The only other time North defeated the Olympians in the past two decades was in the 2017 sectional.
There was added emotion, as well, for East. Before the game, assistant coach Terry Sweasy spoke the fans in attendance and gave his appreciation everyone for all the support. He will be retiring following the season after 17 years as an assistant at East.
“Terry has definitely been my inspiration. I’ve looked up to him, and he’s the reason why I’m playing volleyball,” East senior Jenna Guse said. “It’s definitely good to get that on his night and just knowing he’s going out with a bang.”
The big turning point of the match came when the Bull Dogs (14-10) led 23-22 in the third set. It looked like they were ready for set point when a ball was called out by the line judge. However, the first referee overruled the call, giving the Olympians (8-17) the point the tie the set. East captured the next two points to take a 2-1 set lead in the match.
In the fourth set with it tied at 20-20, East went secured the match by picking up five of the next six points.
“We didn’t let them do anything crazy. We had to make sure that we stayed on top of what we were doing,” East senior libero Chloe Gilley said. “We made sure that each and every position we stayed on task and completed our position to the best of our ability, and I think that was what won us the game. We all conjoined together as a team. It was really great to see.”
For North, Reese Edwards tallied 35 assists and 13 digs, Morgan Osborn finished with 31 digs and two aces and Kennedy Horn had 15 kills and three block assists.
Also for the Bull Dogs, Karen Dutro pounded 19 kills, Elaina Penrod and Kaitlin White each inished with three block assists. Roselynn Venegas and Ally Wettschurack served two aces apiece.
“We definitely had the effort. They wanted it. Obviously, we showed up a little too short,” North coach Jenna Ortega said. “There were some silly errors on our part. In that first game, we had too many missed serves, but overall, I’m super proud of their effort. This is the closest I think we’ve been the past couple years, so it’s progress.”
For the Olympians, Krea Martin totaled 35 assists. Guse finished with 14 kills and six digs, and Gilley had 25 digs and three aces.
Also for East, Caroline Frost finished with 12 kills, two aces, one solo block and three block assists. Addison Emery had 11 digs and two aces, Lilah Klei pounded 13 kills and one block assist, Lauren Smith had seven digs, Anika Jenkins added two block assists and Kimberly Carothers added one block assist.
“I think Terry had everyone in tears to start the night, and now at the end of the night, they are in tears for a different reason,” McIntosh said. “It was a good way to start and end the night.”
Photo gallery: https://www.therepublic.com/2023/09/28/photo-gallery-rivalry-night-columbus-east-columbus-north-volleyball/
