Cougar v-ball team wins tri-match

Van Wert volleyball news

HAVILAND — The Van Wert Cougar volleyball team was back in action on Saturday with a tri-match at Wayne Trace that also included Bryan. The Lady Cougars first defeated Wayne Trace in the first match 25-21 and 25-19.

The second match of the day was between Van Wert and the Lady Golden Bears, with Bryan winning the first game, 25-22. The Lady Cougars picked up their game, though, and won the second game of the match 25-11 to tie the match. Van Wert then led all the way in the final game and won 25-20 for the match victory.

The Cougars are now 10-2 overall for the season and 3-1 in Western Buckeye League matches.

The Van Wert freshman team defeated Wayne Trace 25-13 and 25-11, while the junior varsity team lost to the Lady Raider JVs in three games, 24-26, 25-13 and 15-25, and defeated Bryan 25-22 and 25-20. The Cougar JVs are now 6-4 on the season.

Statistics leaders are as follows:

Van Wert vs. Wayne Trace

Serving – McKenna Merkle, 11/12; Claire Gamble, 10/10.

Hitting – Taylor Doidge and Amanda Coplin, 4 kills each.

Defensive digs – Cheyenne Handy and Merkle, 9 digs each.

Setting – Riley Jones, 5 assists; Coplin, 4 assists.

Van Wert vs. Bryan

Serving – Coplin, 15/17; Jones, 12/12; Gamble, 11/11, and Merkle 10/11.

Hitting – Doidge and Alexis Dowdy, 8 kills each.

Defensive digs – Alexa Dunlap, 31 digs; Gamble, 18 digs; Jones, 16 digs.

Setting – Jones, 17 assists; and Coplin, 12 assists.

The Lady Cougars will host cross-county rival Crestview this evening in a non-conference match-up. The JV game will start at 6 p.m.