Volleyball: Oliva Bailey, Hailee Moskal, Haley Jackson propel Black River past Medina Christian

Brian Dulik The Gazette MONTVILLE TWP. — Olivia Bailey was a menace in the middle, Hailee Moskal played shut-down defense in the back row and Haley Jackson could not be stopped behind the service line. Thanks to their efforts, the Black River volleyball team dictated the tempo and remained unbeaten in its annual Medina County match against Medina Christian. Bailey and Sidney Czarny had nine kills apiece and Jenevieve Dieter collected eight kills, 14 assists and a pair of aces as the Pirates beat the Knights 25-22, 25-10, 27-25 in non-league action Saturday. Junior libero Moskal made a match-high 15 digs and sophomore defensive specialist Jackson fired seven aces for Black River (4-2), which has swept four straight opponents. "We all have such a great time being out there," said junior Bailey, who also made two blocks and led all players with a 2.25:1 kill-to-error ratio. "It's a whole team thing. Our passers get the ball right to our setters, and they push it to us as quickly as they can. Everyone has their own way to help make us better and be positive." The positivity displayed by Moskal lit up the gym, smiling and audibly encouraging everyone on her side of the court. She won the job in a competitive preseason competition and hasn't looked back. Moskal's constant running and diving, along with the 11 digs by senior outside hitter Czarny, allowed the Pirates to limit Medina Christian to two total kills in the first two sets. "I just yell a lot, but it helps us come together," a chuckling Moskal said. "I'm so energetic and really into the game because the libero needs to be that way. "Our team has come on so quickly since our first two games, we're excited to see where it takes us." Sophomore setter Briley Jackson added 12 assists and junior middle hitter Avery Biddle had six kills for Black River. Biddle hammered the match winner after the Pirates fought off a potential set point in the third. Senior Addi Wolf led the charge with six total kills and four blocks for the Knights (2-4), while junior Grace Workman had three kills, two aces and a pair of blocks. Junior Audrey Yarman posted all of her three kills, two aces and two blocks in the third. Wolf answered the call at critical junctures of the opening and third sets, when Medina Christian rallied from deficits of 12-5 and 12-6, respectively. The 5-foot-11 middle hitter had a block/kill, kill and ace in the first to tie the set at 20. In the third, Wolf's two-hand push kill gave the Knights a 24-23 lead after Yarman served back-to-back aces. "Coming back the way we did was possible because of believing in each other, trusting our talent and trusting each other," Wolf said. Do-everything sophomore Hailey Mendrea lived up to that description by passing, digging, hitting and saving shanks. She finished with one kill and one ace — as three clearly-in spikes were called out by line judges. Medina Christian was without third-year setter Ava Abramczyk due to a family commitment. Junior Olivia Haggerty stepped in with four assists and 11 digs, and senior Ann Sems maintained her role in the 6-2 and dished out three helpers. Knights coach Adam Vigneault has greatly upgraded their schedule as a full-fledged independent, which his players appreciate. "I'm really happy we got to play Black River," Wolf said. "Seeing teams like this challenge us a lot and teaches us never to settle. We always want to keep getting better together." Contact Brian Dulik at sports@medina-gazette.com. Follow him @BrianDulik on X.