Girls volleyball: Kamryn Heldreth shines in Highland win over Brunswick

BRUNSWICK — Kamryn Heldreth was unstoppable in the middle for the Highland volleyball team Tuesday. It's a statement that will be made many more times this season. All-Gazette hitter Heldreth hammered 18 kills and made a match-high 10 blocks in leading the Hornets to a 25-19, 25-23, 25-19 non-conference victory at Brunswick. The 6-footer set the tone with eight kills and six rejections in the first set, allowing Highland (1-2) to seize momentum and shake off its opening-day losses to Avon and Massillon Jackson. "Our energy was a lot different from Saturday, and we really wanted this win," Heldreth said. "Our setters were working hard to get it to me in transition, which was so much fun. "When we get the middle involved, it opens up the outside and makes everything easier, especially for the underclassmen." Sophomore Payton Hrics had 16 assists and freshman Emma Tramonte doled out 13, spraying the ball all over their side to ensure the Hornets received secondary offense. Eight hitters had at least two kills as libero Carley Niese and defensive specialists Alaina Weingart and Ava Andrews delivered on-point passes. "Our communication was better by leaps and bounds from Saturday," senior Niese said. "Honestly, we were 100% better in every single way. Hitting, setting, team unity. Everything." Freshman Samantha Ross was a revelation on the outside with seven thunderous kills over the final two sets, many from behind the 10-foot line that brought the entire Hornets bench to its feet. Lily Vojtko and Abby Capper each had six kills, Alyssa Koehler added five, Gigi Shank ripped four in the third, Emeri Gausman had three and Emily Stanik had two as Highland committed just 10 hitting errors. "All of our new girls were able to pick up the pace and adjust well against a very good program in Brunswick," Heldreth said. The Blue Devils (0-3) were fueled by senior setter Emerson Sheets, who collected 32 assists, six kills and 12 digs in a very impressive athletic display. Junior Addison Compton had 14 kills, 15 digs and a match-high three blocks, while sophomore Kacie Belz rifled 12 kills and two aces. Both outside hitters set career bests in kills and will be counted on heavily by Brunswick. "Kacie and Addison had the most impressive moments, especially coming through when we were down three or four and needed a big kill," Sheets said. Belz also attacked effectively from far off the net but saved her best work for sets very close to the left antenna. Sheets noted, "She definitely hits it better when it's closer to the net." "It definitely is about keeping the speed and the right mindset when you're there," a smiling Belz said. Junior middle hitter Addison Ivory chipped in four kills and two blocks without an error, and senior libero Ashlie Lieb made 18 digs for the hosts. Potentially the biggest development of the evening for Brunswick, though, was sophomore Madison Miller suffering a left ankle injury in the opening set. She had to be carried off the court and was taken to the emergency room to undergo X-rays. The Blue Devils lost to Berea-Midpark and North Olmsted three days earlier, also in straight sets. "The only way to go is up from here," Sheets said. "Saturday definitely got us down, but we played pretty well today and showed me we can play faster. We'll keep working on it." Contact Brian Dulik at sports@medina-gazette.com. Follow @BrianDulik on X.