Kirtland’s road warriors improved to 2-0 on Tuesday with a 3-1 win over host Brooklyn in a Chagrin Valley Conference crossover game.
The Hornets, who will play their first four games of the season on the road, won the first two sets, 25-18, 25-19, before dropping the third, 21-25. They finished off the Hurricanes with a 25-17 win in the fourth set.
“The difference between the first and second match was we were able to get into a groove,” Kirtland coach Arlayna Newcomer said of the improvements the Hornets made from Monday’s win at Brush. “The team was a little more comfortable and confident.”
Thanks to their ability to serve consistently, the Hornets managed to utilize their entire offense to keep the Hurricanes in check.
Offensively, Stella DeJohn led the Hornets with 11 kills while Emma Simmons finished with eight and Abby Ruckel and Natalie Glowe both recorded five.
Ava Golem led the Hornets with 23 digs. Ariela Gettig and Natalie Glowe contributed with 10 and nine digs, respectively.
“I told the girls that we all know what they’re capable of, and that it’s just a matter of them holding themselves accountable and taking care of business,” Newcomer said.
Maria Alfieri finished off Brooklyn in the fourth set with a 14-point service streak that helped the Hornets erase a 17-11 deficit.
“Maria really stepped up tonight,” Newcomer said. “She played solid throughout the game and took us to the win with a 14-point serving streak. Maria also had a total of nine aces, 20 assists and one kill.”
Kirtland opens league play at Grand Valley on Thursday.
