MIDDLEFIELD—Cardinal closed out the regular season with a 3-1 win over visiting Wickliffe in a Volley for the Cure game on Thursday.
With the win, the Huskies closed out the regular season with a 19-3 record overall and a perfect 14-0 mark in the Chagrin Valley Conference Valley Division.
“I was excited that we were playing Wickliffe at the end of the year because they are a tough team and they have nice hitters,” said Cardinal coach Karisca Chambers. “It was a really good game to get ready for districts. I thought we came out very strong tonight.”
Cardinal won the first two sets 25-13 and 25-17 but the Blue Devils, who fell to 11-9, rallied to win the third set 26-24.
“We had them in the first two sets and then they took the third set from us so that shows us we always have to play tough no matter what because other teams are getting stronger as well,” Chambers said.
The Huskies closed out the match with a 25-17 win in the fourth set.
Kaylee Klepper led the Huskies with 19 kills and seven aces and Camille Cummins finished with 16 kills and four blocks. Halen Domen added 44 assists and three service aces and Ashley Gubanyar contributed with 23 assists.
Cardinal will now turn its attention to the postseason. The Huskies earned the No. 1 seed in the Division III Berkshire District and will play the winner of the sectional semifinal between No. 8 Champion and No. 9 LaBrae on Oct. 18 at Berkshire.
“Defense is definitely going to help us win throughout districts,” Chambers said. “I think we have a strong defense. There are a couple of little things here and there that we need to work on and we need to be on the same page. Our blockers are doing a nice job but they have to be able to read the ball off of the block. A lot of the other team’s points come when we get a touch on it but then it falls to the floor.”
Abby Baumgartner led Wickliffe with nine kills and four blocks. Elizabeth Lesco contributed with 24 digs and four aces and Emily Whittington finished with 16 assists.
Wickliffe plays Beachwood in a Division III sectional final on Oct. 18.
