BURTON–Berkshire used a convincing 3-1 win over visiting Kirtland to take over control of the Chagrin Valley Conference Valley Division.
The Badgers won the match 25-16, 25-17, 22-25, 25-15 to take over sole possession of first place.
“This was the first step (to winning conference),” said Berkshire head coach Joni Prots. “We aren’t finished. We still have to win out. As awesome as today was, if we don’t keep it up, it doesn’t mean anything until we go out and finish the job.”
Berkshire set the tone early, jumping out to a 15-10 lead and used a Kirsten Shaffer block to win the first set.
The Badgers did much of the same in the second.
They led 19-14 before Marissa Rish recorded a kill to cap off a 6-3 run and a win in the second set.
The quick start was just what the doctor ordered for Berkshire, making up for a Sept. 12 five-set loss to Kirtland when the Hornets and Badgers split the first two sets.
“It was a key to go out and ensure that we won set two,” Prots said. “We got (Kirtland) back on their heels, and we had to play with a chip on our shoulder.”
Kirtland jumped out to a 12-10 lead and pushed that advantage to 16-12 before the Badgers rallied back to tie the set at 19-19.
Ellie Spencer’s set-winning kill pulled Kirtland to within 2-1 in the match.
“We turned it up a little bit (in set three),” said Kirtland head coach Ricky Sanders. “But we played horrible from start to finish. We made just about every error you could make. We never found a rhythm.”
Berkshire dominated the fourth set to capture a signature win with some standout performances to boot.
Rish surpassed 1,000 career assists in the first set thanks to a Kirsten Shaffer kill.
“I’m so grateful to get to play with this team,” Rish said. “This team is so special, and they always have my back. That makes (this accomplishment) so much better that I got it with this team.”
Rish totaled 18 assists, 18 digs, and eight kills in the win.
Meanwhile, Shaffer made her presence known all over the court with 16 kills and eight blocks to help neutralize the Hornet attack.
“She played well last Thursday against Crestwood with a career-high in kills,” Prots said. “She came out focused today. I think what helped us the most was the touches and blocks she had on the net. That helped to take away some of (Kirtland’s) offense from the middles, which really hurt us last time.”
Jill Smetana finished with six kills and Ava Chuha totaled 15 assists in the win.
Kirtland fell to 12-6 on the year, no setting its sights on a postseason run.
“We know we have a lot to work on,” Sanders said. “We have a few games left and we actually need to push harder. We’re going to fight through this and try to have a great showing in the playoffs.”
Spencer led the attack with nine kills, and Karli DiFranco had seven.
Riley Javins racked up nine assists, Ella Veider finished with 11 assists, and Bria Golem connected on three service aces.
Berkshire visits down-the-road rival Cardinal on Oct. 3 while Kirtland hosts Wickliffe.
