By CHRIS BROOKS, wellsvillesports.com
The Lady Sea Lions of Wellsville could not be stopped once again in the water Tuesday night. With a visit from Hornell in store, the defending three-peat Class C Champions took victories in each of the first eight matches to help set a powerful tone to remain undefeated on the season, swimming towards an 86-69 victory over the Lady Raiders.
Amongst the triumphant individual performances, Kennedy Ewing and Grace Kinnicutt both led the Lady Sea Lions (3-0) with a pair of victories each, with Ewing scoring winning times in the 200 freestyle and later on in the second half of the meet, in the 500 freestyle. Kinnicutt would follow behind with her victories coming in the 50 freestyle and in the 100 butterfly — the first event to open up the final half of action.
Kinnicutt would also race the first leg in the team’s winning 200 medley relay, alongside Allie Bidzerkowny, Hayden Waldon and Morgan Mattison.
Other Individual winners for Wellsville were Waldon in the 100 freestyle, Kaylee Oswald in the 200 individual medley and Ashley Oswald with a winning performance off the Diving board.
“Tonight was a solid win from the first race to the last. It’s early in the season and the team has 46 swims and dives by 11 girls that qualify for Sectionals,” Lady Sea Lions coach Steve Hand said. “Kennedy Ewing, Grace Kinnicutt, Hayden Waldon, they all looked strong tonight. Kaylee stepped up in the 200 IM, Ashley has the Diving record in her sights and she keeps getting better on the board every meet.”
Hornell gathered four wins in the back half of the meet, including a pair of relay finishes in the 200 freestyle and 400 freestyle. Evelyn Striker and Gabriella Passero rounded off the wins with their winning times in the 100 backstroke and 100 breaststroke, respectively.
Wellsville is now off for the next nine days, as they now begin preparations for next Thursday’s road meet in Dansville beginning at 5 p.m.
Results
200 Medley – 1. Wellsville (Kinnicutt, Bidzerkowny, Waldon, Mattison) 2:09.72, 2. Wellsville, 3. Hornell.
200 Free – 1. Kennedy Ewing (WLSV) 2:22.98, 2. Megan VanEtten (WLSV), 3. Kaela Briggs (HHS).
200 IMR – 1. Kaylee Oswald (WLSV) 2:41.71, 2. Evelyn Striker (HHS), 3. Ella Green (WLSV).
50 Free – 1. Grace Kinnicutt (WLSV) 27.41, 2. Allie Bidzerkowny (WLSV), 3. Reegan Perkins (WLSV).
Diving – 1. Ashley Oswald (WLSV) 198.97.
100 Fly – 1. Grace Kinnicutt (WLSV) 1:07.48, 2. Morgan Mattison (WLSV).
100 Free – 1. Hayden Waldon (WLSV) 58.69, 2. Gabriella Passero (HHS), 3. Margaret Hall (HHS).
500 Free – 1. Kennedy Ewing (WLSV) 6:15.30, 2. Kaylee Oswald (WLSV), 3. Reegan Perkins (WLSV).
200 Relay – 1. Hornell (Hall, Striker, Passero, Briggs) 2:05.07, 2. Hornell.
100 Back – 1. Evelyn Striker (HHS) 1:13.96, 2. Margaret Hall (HHS), 3. Eliana Hopper (HHS).
100 Breaststroke – 1. Gabriella Passero (HHS) 1:31.51, 2. Hanee Allen (HHS).
400 Free – 1. Hornell (Briggs, Striker, Hall, Passero) 4:56.69, 2. Hornell.
BOYS SOCCER
Fillmore 3, Arkport/Canaseraga 2
FILLMORE — For the first time this year, the unbeaten Eagles of Fillmore found themselves behind the eight ball. And in a hurry, as visiting Arkport/Canaseraga came out swinging with the game’s icebreaker — the first score that the defending Class D State Champions would allow after five consecutive shutouts.
But the Eagles would not allow it to faze them however, as they came right back and delivered two big punches to claim a one-goal lead going into the break. With the upper hand, they would now control their own destiny going into the last 40 minute stage under the lights.
And with it, came a quick response like the Wolves provided out of the gate. Layton Sanasith was responsible for that.
Just over two minutes removed from the kick at center, the Fillmore senior made the most of the opportunity in a big way, providing a swift tally to give the Eagles a big lead extension against Arkport/Canaseraga, holding it intact despite some added pressure down the stretch from the Wolves, as they went on to survive a tough duel with a winning 3-2 edge on Tuesday.
Fillmore (6-0) fell behind right from the start to Arkport/Canaseraga, as the Wolves attacked with high intensity to throw them off-kilter, which would result in the game’s opening marker off the foot of Zach Smith for a 1-0 lead just 1:51 into the game. The lead would hold up near the midway mark when the Eagles managed to break through and tie the game with the first of two crucial Sardina tallies at the 16:29 mark.
Sardina would officially give the Eagles the 2-1 lead going into the break, as he connected with Nolan Krzeminski from the back on a lead pass on the break with eight minutes to go. With the momentum now in their favor, the chance to build even more onto their newly-laid foundation had arrived.
Just 2:22 removed in the second half, Layton Sanasith went on to do just that, as he leaped into the air to intercept a phenomenal cross sent along by Zach Sisson to bury home into the Arkport/Canaseraga net for a humongous 3-1 advantage.
But the Wolves would not go quietly though, as they turned up the heat on Fillmore coming down the stretch with the help of Aydan Button, as he found the back of the net to cut the deficit down to a goal just past the midway mark.
Despite the score, the Eagles defense was able to hold their ground from that point forward to secure what would be a sixth straight win to open up their State title defense through a tremendous battle.
“It was a great battle between us and Arkport/Canaseraga. We found ourselves trailing for the first time all season, and quickly. Credit to them though, they came out fast and they maintained that intensity all throughout the game. But I’m super proud of how we responded in the first half with Henry (Sardina) getting two goals before the end of the half.” said Eagles coach Jarrett Vosburg. “We were able to get up by two with Layton’s courageous header off a cross from Zach, and we were able to hold on from there. I’m very proud of all the boys for their response to adversity and for gritting out a gutsy win.”
20 combined shots were accumulated by both offenses, with Fillmore recording the narrow 12-8 advantage over Arkport/Canaseraga. In goal, Brayden Hennard made six stops to record the win, while Taylor Pragle made nine saves for the Wolves.
Up next is a quick turnaround for Fillmore this evening, as they now prepare for a 6 p.m. visit to Andover to face host Andover/Whitesville.
Fillmore 3, Hammondsport 0
FILLMORE — After a big straight-set victory over the road at Arkport/Canaseraga 24 hours ago, the Lady Eagles of Fillmore came back home in a quick turnaround and did it all over again on Tuesday with visiting Hammondsport in town, as they started with a dominant first set performance that they continued to build on all throughout, claiming a 25-9, 25-18, 25-8 victory over the Lady Lakers.
Savannah Hosmer charged the Lady Eagles (3-4) strong performance with some big help at the back line, scoring seven service points to pair with three aces and three kills. Setter Bri Santiago chipped in with seven assists at the front of the net to go alongside six service points and four aces of her own.
The Lady Eagles are now off until Thursday night when they return to The Rock in search of their third straight win with crosstown rival Houghton Academy in town for a 6 p.m. first serve.
Boys soccer
Bath-Haverling 5, Wellsville 0
BATH — Monday night witnessed the Bath-Haverling Rams excel to the top of their game on their home pitch, as the offense ignited in a full blaze with the Lions of Wellsville in town, as they rolled towards victory by a 5-0 count.
MONDAY SPORTS
Canisteo-Greenwood 5, Bolivar-Richburg 0
CANISTEO — The Lady Chargers of Canisteo-Greenwood/Jasper-Troupsburg went for the season sweep of Bolivar-Richburg on Monday.
After claiming a 3-0 decision to win the inaugural Tri-County Cup at Cuba-Rushford last weekend, Canisteo-Greenwood/Jasper-Troupsburg held the Lady Wolverines at a standstill once more, this time on their home pitch, claiming a 5-0 shutout.
Statistics were not made available to report upon publication.
The Lady Wolverines (3-3) have a quick turnaround tonight back home to Dunsmore-Latimer Field, as they host Friendship/Scio in a 5 p.m. contest.
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Fillmore 3, Arkport/Canaseraga 1
ARKPORT — Across the four sets of action both Fillmore and Arkport/Canaseraga would see, two of them would extend into extra serves. With the competitive fever taking their Monday match by storm, the Lady Eagles would build much needed momentum heading into their clash with Hammondsport with the 25-18, 27-25, 19-25, 26-24 win.
“In many regards, I feel like this was our best game that we’ve played so far,” said Lady Eagles coach Lacie Fuller. “We have a ways to go, but I thought we showed some real growth tonight. We came back down in the second set and again playing from behind the whole set before we won in the fourth to win the game. This was a nice confidence boost for the girls that hopefully we can build off of.”
The Lady Eagles (2-4) saw an outstanding night of service come into full fruition with the assistance of Eevie Cox, who recorded a game-high 16 service points to pair along with seven digs on defense and five aces. Savannah Hosmer helped the offensive cause with five kills to go with three blocks and three more aces.
In addition, Bri Santiago (eight service points, six aces), along with Sawyer Pomeroy (block) combined to record 18 assists at the front of the net.
Arkport/Canaseraga was led by Morgan Gilbert, who had 21 service points to go with four aces and two assists.
Fillmore’s quick turnaround will begin tonight with a 7:30 p.m. first serve back home inside The Rock with the Lady Lakers of Hammondsport.
GIRLS TENNIS
Wellsville 5, Alfred-Almond 0
WELLSVILLE — There has simply been no stopping the Lady Lions of Wellsville to begin the 2023 campaign.
The defending Class B2 Champions entered Monday night battling in their fourth match in the last five days, and like each time they have stepped onto the court, the Lady Lions have come away victorious in dominant fashion, as they took down Alfred-Almond in a Finals rematch from a year ago with a humongous 5-0 sweep on their home court to claim their eighth straight victory.
Although the Lady Lions (8-0) were able to take care of business, it would not come easy in both departments of play, where Sarah Mattison had to rally back at third singles against Alfred-Almond’s Jennifer Bensley after a 6-2 loss in the second set, rebounding in a big way in the last to record the 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 win.
At second doubles, a first career Varsity win was tallied for Shayla Cowan, as she teamed with Kelsey Seely to battle the Lady Eagles team of Eleanor Drozeski and Allegra Bordeaux in a rebounding performance after a 6-1 second set defeat saw them edge out their opponents in the game-deciding set to take the 6-3, 1-6, 6-4 decision at the end of the night.
Wellsville also saw straight-set wins emerge from Samantha Bidzerkowny and Meagan Riley at first and second singles respectively, each defeating Candy Zhou and Beatrice Beaudry with 6-3, 6-0 wins in their matches. The first doubles team of Caitlin Bittel and Hanna Miles rounded off the team’s 5-0 sweep with a 6-0, 6-0 shutout of Sarah Eleshaky and Rose Schreiber.
The Lady Lions are back on the court over the road Wednesday, visiting the Lady Eagles of Wayland-Cohocton in a 5 p.m. first serve.
Singles
1. Samantha Bidzerkowny (WLSV) def. Candy Zhou (A-A), 6-3, 6-0.
2. Meagan Riley (WLSV) def. Beatrice Beaudry (A-A), 6-3, 6-0.
3. Sarah Mattison (WLSV) def. Jennifer Bensley (A-A), 6-2, 2-6, 6-3.
Doubles
1. Caitlin Bittel/Hanna Miles (WLSV) def. Sarah Eleshaky/Rose Schreiber (A-A), 6-0, 6-0.
2. Kelsey Seely/Shayla Cowan (WLSV) def. Eleanor Drozeski/Allegra Bordeaux (A-A), 6-3, 1-6, 6-4.
Fillmore 4, Canisteo-Greenwood 1
CANISTEO — Led by a complete sweep of all three singles matches in action, the Lady Eagles of Fillmore took care of business in style over the road on Monday, as they survived a tough challenge presented by host Canisteo-Greenwood to swipe away a 4-1 victory, avenging an earlier 3-2 defeat to the Lady Chargers to begin the year.
“We lost to them our first match of the year, so it was great for the team to have a tangible result of the hard work that we’ve been putting in,” Lady Eagles coach Randy Crouch said. “Spencer (Hopkins) has been awesome at third singles, and continued that trend with a big win tonight. Molly (Mahoney) played her best match of the season and really showed off her great serve and ground strokes. Claire (Schilke) really battled for the win against a good athlete with a frustrating style of play.”
Claire Schilke, Molly Mahoney and Spencer Hopkins all charged up the victory for the Lady Eagles (2-5) through a trio of tough battles across the board, with Schilke and Hopkins each coming away with a hard-fought 10-6 win at first and third singles, respectively over Aaliyah Tigner and Amelia Stewart.
Mahoney would record a 10-5 win over Bailey Heisel at second singles to finish the sweep of the department’s action. To finish off the match win, the second doubles team of Lena Tucker and Indigo Knapp was credited with a forfeit win.
Canisteo-Greenwood claimed one victory from their first doubles team of Serenity Sanford and Mackenzie Clark, as the two Lady Chargers survived a tough battle with Fillmore’s Kirra Bentley and Kira Morley with a 10-5 win.
The Lady Eagles will now begin preparations for a 5 p.m. road trip on Friday to visit the undefeated Lady Lions of Wellsville.
Singles
1. Claire Schilke (FIL) def. Aaliyah Tigner (C-G), 10-6.
2. Molly Mahoney (FIL) def. Bailey Heisel (C-G), 10-5.
3. Spencer Hopkins (FIL) def. Amelia Stewart (C-G), 10-6.
Doubles
1. Serenity Sanford/Mackenzie Clark (C-G) def. Kirra Bentley/Kira Morley (FIL), 10-5.
2. Lena Tucker/Indigo Knapp (FIL) by for.
