By Drew Terhall

Dailyadvocate.com

BRADFORD — The Ansonia volleyball team went on the road and picked up a conference win by sweeping Bradford on September 10.

Ansonia head coach Lydia Schlarman said the team bounced back from a tough week last week as they dealt with some injuries and are starting to get healthy.

“Practice was a tough one for us. We came together as a team, we definitely needed that after last week. That third set, hitting errors got to us. But, they came back. I wasn’t worried,” Schlarman said.

Bradford head coach Jamie Hocker said before this game, they switched some things up to help improve the communication. After a slow start, the Lady Railroaders came together and started to play well in this match.

“We changed some things up this morning. Before we even went out to our game, we’re having some communication errors. Just changing some things up,” Hocker said. “Once they get going and once they get up and stay up mentally, they play well. It’s getting them to talk, stay light on their feet and have confidence in themselves to keep playing.”

Ansonia won the first set, 25-8. The Lady Tigers front line came out swinging. They were able to hit their spots and overwhelm the Bradford defense at times.

The Lady Railroaders couldn’t get much momentum going as they struggled at the serving line. That gave Ansonia the chance to keep building on their lead.

The second set start out close. Bradford started to serve better and were competing with Ansonia. With both teams trading points early, Ansonia held a 14-10 lead.

Then the front line from Ansonia took over the set. Schlarman said players like juniors Olivia Schmitmeyer, who played in her second game since missing two weeks, Lily Kaiser and Camryn Winner all stepped up and had a solid night. Each player executed in their role to let the hitters do their thing.

“The first two sets, it all came together really well. Our serve receive was awesome, which we struggled on at the beginning of the season. Our passes were there and our setters put the ball where they needed it to be. The hitter put it away,” Schlarman said.

Ansonia ended the set on a 11-2 run to win 25-12.

The third set was a battle. Both teams traded points early and Bradford grabbed a small lead, 12-8, when Ansonia called a timeout. The Lady Railroaders were playing with great energy and confidence to start the third set.

While that last through the whole set, Ansonia clawed their way back to a lead. They gained a late 17-16 lead as it looked like the set would go down to the wire.

Both teams were flying to the ball and making plays to keep the rally going. Once again, the hitting from Ansonia proved to be the difference as they came away with a 25-19 set win to complete the sweep.

The Lady Railroaders kept improving as the match went on. Hocker said the team has looked great in practice, but that play hasn’t fully translated to the court yet. With just a little bit more confidence, Bradford can truly play their best volleyball this season.

“Going from last year to this year, the team is gelling so much better. The communication, the friendships and things like that are building. That starts the team,” Hocker said. “Definitely excited for the rest of the season because I know their pushing. Just having confidence in each other and in themselves is what we need a little more of.”

Schlarman said her team is in a good spot considering the early injuries they sustained. The team has fought through that adversity and are starting to play better volleyball.

“We had some injuries. I think that plays a toll on the girls itself and the energy throughout the games. With the injuries that we had, I think we’re in a good place right now,” Schlarman said.

Ansonia is now 5-6 with a 3-1 WOAC record. They will host National Trail on September 12 at 5:30 p.m. and then head to Fairlawn on September 14 for a 10 a.m. start.

Bradford is now 1-11 with an 0-4 WOAC record. They will be at Tri-County North on September 12 at 5:30 p.m. and then be at Mississinawa Valley on September 14 for a 10 a.m. start.

Contact Daily Advocate sports editor Drew Terhall at [email protected].