JEFFERSON — Geneva stormed back from an early deficit to take down host Jefferson in a thrilling Chagrin Valley Conference Lake Division showdown on Thursday, earning a 3–1 victory by set scores of 22–25, 29–27, 25–22, 25–22.
In a night defined by momentum swings and clutch plays, the Eagles showed grit when it mattered most.
“This was the first time this season that we played full of heart,” said Geneva head coach Annah Haeseler. “We got a few points because of our heart — we played all out and went for it.”
Jefferson set the tone early, riding three aces from Lauren Hanek and key assists from Cheyenne McGirr on kills by Brooklyn Hicks and Kendra Pal to build an 18–14 lead in the first set. Geneva rallied to tie it at 20–20, but Hanek’s third kill of the frame sealed a 25–22 win for the Falcons.
The Eagles punched back in the second. Fueled by a 6–1 opening burst with kills from Ella Haeseler and Williams, Geneva appeared to seize control. But McGirr sparked Jefferson’s comeback, helping the Falcons edge ahead, 18–17. Geneva answered once again, tying the match when Kailyn Cerjan delivered a clutch ace to close out a marathon 29–27 win.
That momentum carried into the third, where the Eagles built a 7–2 cushion behind Haeseler’s two kills and a block. Jefferson wasn’t done, storming back to take a 15–14 lead thanks to Hanek’s block-and-ace combo and a Hicks finish at the net. But Geneva steadied. Rhiley Williams powered through with two kills, Haeseler continued to attack, and Julia Trask delivered a block-and-kill sequence to help the Eagles secure a 25–22 win and a 2–1 match edge.
The decisive fourth set was as tense as the rest. Jefferson jumped ahead 8–5, only for Haeseler and Williams to swing the momentum for Geneva. With the teams trading points down the stretch, Haeseler and Trask combined for back-to-back blocks that gave the Eagles breathing room at 22–18. Moments later, Williams hammered her 17th kill to lock up the 25–22 set and the match, handing Jefferson its first league loss of the season.
For Geneva, the victory was especially sweet, considering both Jefferson and Edgewood swept the Eagles a year ago.
“Our record may not show it, but we’re here,” said Coach Haeseler. “This is almost the same team from last year. The first third of our season is tough — and that was on purpose because it builds grit.”
Now in pursuit of Edgewood at the top of the Lake Division standings, Geneva knows its path forward.
“We have to control our errors and keep playing our game,” Haeseler said. “We feel like we can beat anybody, and anybody can beat us — whether we’re playing state champions or teams here in Ashtabula County. We control everything.”
Haeseler finished with 12 kills and two blocks. Cerjan distributed 43 assists, while Trask chipped in six kills and three blocks.
Jefferson, playing with a largely new roster after last year’s 16–8 district finalist run, showed flashes of toughness despite falling short.
“I thought Brooklyn Hicks had an outstanding match — she’s someone who loves the competition. Maddie Steen, my libero, had great energy and attitude. Regardless of what happens on each play, she brings all kinds of positive energy to our team,” said Falcons head coach Don Palm. “I was really pleased with those girls and how they came out and played.”
McGirr led Jefferson with 14 kills and 19 assists. Hicks added eight kills and two blocks, while Hanek recorded nine kills, three aces, and a block. Olivia Palm handed out 15 assists, and Pal contributed eight more kills.
Even in defeat, Palm found positives in his team’s resilience.
“I think your true character comes out when things aren’t going well, and I was pleased that we continued to battle in each set,” Palm said. “Our execution wasn’t quite there tonight. We had a lot of unforced, service, and communication errors. Hopefully, we can clean things up moving forward.”
Geneva (now climbing in the standings) returns home to face Perry on Sept. 22, while Jefferson looks to rebound at Edgewood on Sept. 24.
