Girls volleyball: Wadsworth sweeps annual tri-meet

WADSWORTH — Playing four matches in five days against perennially strong programs was a challenging slate for the Wadsworth volleyball team to start its season. The juggernaut Grizzlies made it look easy and didn't lose a set. All-Ohio outside hitter Lauren Decker fired 17 kills and All-Ohio setter Rowan Kelly posted 45 assists and five blocks Saturday, powering undefeated Wadsworth to a sweep of its triangular against Brunswick and Amherst. Kelly had six kills, 20 assists and three blocks in a 25-12, 25-14 victory over the Blue Devils, while fellow senior Decker totaled 11 kills and nine digs in a 25-20, 25-20 triumph over the Comets. "Our team is very confident, but we don't want to get overly confident," Grizzlies sophomore Quinn Macko said. "We want to stay focused and win every set we play." Outside hitter Macko — a key role player in Wadsworth's journey to the 2024 Division II state semifinals — is now their second offensive option. The 6-footer unleashed six kills against Amherst and had four against Brunswick in best-of-three matches. Macko used her length to total 16 kills in the Grizzlies' first two Suburban League National Conference against North Royalton and Twinsburg. The 9 a.m. start time of the triangular matched the earliest in the rally-scoring era in Medina County but didn't phase her. "We normally play at 7 p.m., so it was a little different, but we were up for the challenge," she said. Ellie Wolf is another 10th-grader with a much larger role after playing eight sets last season, four of them in the state semis against Cincinnati St. Ursula after All-Gazette defender Maddie Blackburn suffered a season-ending injury. The daughter of former Brunswick player Megan Moran Wolf claimed the libero job in the preseason and hasn't looked back. She made a team-high eight digs with four assists and two aces against the Blue Devils and was a perfect 10-for-10 on serve receptions in the nightcap. "We are confident in our abilities as a team and how well we work together," Wolf said. "But it's important that we focus on one game at a time and not underestimating our opponents. And to make sure we play our game, no matter who is across the net." Wadsworth senior middle hitter Lilly McComas chipped in seven kills and five rejections. Sophomore and converted setter Averie Shell had four kills in each match for the Grizzlies, who haven't dropped a set in the annual tri since 2022. Brunswick was finally able to take a deep breath after losing six straight to start its season, rallying in the opening set of a 26-24, 25-21 win over the Comets. Sophomore outside hitter Kacie Belz had a career-high 13 kills and senior setter Emerson Sheets had 25 assists. "The pressure was definitely building for us, but so was the energy, adrenaline and the want to win," Belz said. "During the Amherst game, everything started to click for everyone. We were running a quick offense and hitting good spots. Our blocking and passing also was a big help." Sheets continues to set the example for her less experienced teammates to follow. She scored nine service points and had three kills against Amherst (3-5) and had assists on half of the 26 points the Blue Devils scored in their first match. Junior Addison Compton, Belz and Sheets shared team-high honors with four kills against Wadsworth. Sophomore outside hitter Lauren Schuett had nine total putdowns, senior libero Ashlie Lieb made 23 digs and junior defensive specialist Adalyn Sheets had 17 digs. "I've learned going into a game that you know will be competitive and tough that you have to stay grounded and do the easy things," Emerson Sheets said. "Also to start off with as much energy that we usually finish with. "There wasn't any specific factor that made the difference in the win. I think we all just showed up and played our best during it." Contact Brian Dulik at sports@medina-gazette.com. Follow @BrianDulik on X.