PITSBURG – Franklin Monroe celebrated its senior night on Thursday with a 25-20, 25-10, 25-19 sweep of the Bradford volleyball team in Cross County Conference action.
The Lady Jets honored their three seniors – Hannah Eley, Emilee Morris and Madison Schaar – prior to the match, and then put together a strong effort with the three seniors featured prominently.
“It was a little slower game than we would like, but they had a good time out there,” said Franklin Monroe coach Angie Filbrun, who celebrated senior night with her seniors with pizzas donated by Marco’s Pizza. “They’re having fun. The seniors got to all play together so it was a good night for us, good win.”
Franklin Monroe was in control throughout the night and never trailed in the match.
The Jets started out the first set on a 9-3 run, prompting the Railroaders to use a timeout. Bradford responded following the break and scored three consecutive points and six of the next eight to cut FM’s lead to 11-9.
Then Franklin Monroe again went on another run and pushed its advantage to 18-9. Bradford couldn’t overcome the deficit as FM won the opening game 25-20.
The second set was all Franklin Monroe as the Jets cruised to a 25-10 win and a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five match.
Franklin Monroe continued to play well early in the third set and built a 14-5 advantage. Bradford again made another run, though, and cut the FM lead to 19-17.
“We had to really work on their tip,” Filbrun said. “They were really trying to get us on that tip. But we tried to adjust a little bit, and I thought they did a good job.”
Bradford couldn’t get any closer, however, as Franklin Monroe finished off a 25-19 victory to sweep the match in three sets.
Both Bradford and Franklin Monroe now will turn their attention toward the Ohio High School Athletic Association tournament.
Bradford will play the winner of Jackson Center and Jefferson at 6 p.m. Tuesday in Troy. Franklin Monroe will play Troy Christian at 12:30 p.m. Saturday in Troy.
“We’re feeling very confident,” Filbrun said. “We’re starting to play really well together as a team. They’re coming along. We’re a young team this year so we’re excited to see what we can do in the tournament and are looking forward to our game on Saturday.”
