High school volleyball: Bell City blocks past Gideon in 3

GIDEON — The Gideon High School volleyball team tried to even its match with Bell City during the second set.

The Bulldogs closed within one point, 24-23, after a lengthy service run from Lexus Muller.

On the next rally, however, Eliana Bowling put down a well-placed tip onto Gideon’s side of the hardwood — putting the Cubs up 2-0 in sets.

Gideon's Skyla Woodall (right) attempts to tip the ball over the double block of Bell City's Eliana Bowling and Maddie Asher during the Class 1 District 2 championship match on Monday, Oct. 23, 2023, at Gideon. (Photo by Eric Viccaro, staff)

Ultimately, Bell City would sweep Gideon by scores of 25-13, 25-23, 25-20 in the Class 1 District 2 championship match Monday.

“Bell City had weapons all the way around,” Gideon head coach Kristy Ashabranner said, her Bulldogs two years removed from a state tournament appearance.

“They have big hitters, a huge block and a great setter to run the offense,” Ashabranner continued. The coach also complimented the Cubs on their aggressive serving.

Gideon's Lexis Fry (3) tips the ball over the Bell City defense during the Class 1 District 2 championship match dated Monday, Oct. 23, 2023. (Photo by Eric Viccaro, staff)

Bell City advanced to today’s Round of 16 match at District 1 champion Holcomb. First serve is set for 6:30 p.m.

Gideon tried to get Bell City to play out of system, but that didn’t materialize. Playing out of system would have given the Cubs fewer attacking options, but they had too much depth.

This marked the final scholastic match for outside hitters Skyla Woodall and Gala Darmofal, middle blocker Madison Bonee, setter Jayden Buchanan, libero Mady Clenney and Lily Watkins, another defensive specialist.

Bell City's Eliana Bowling puts up a block on Gideon's Gala Darmofal during the Class 1 District 2 championship match dated Monday, Oct. 23, 2023, at Gideon.(Photo by Eric Viccaro, staff)

“We are graduating six seniors who have displayed grit, determination and commitment,” Ashabranner noted.

This year’s group finished with a 21-9-1 record. From a historical perspective, the Bulldogs have won at least 21 matches every single season since 2010 — a remarkable, sustained run of success.

Bell City’s largest lead in the opening set also was its final differential of 12 points. The Cubs’ Mollie Mannon put up a stellar block and teammate Maddie Asher had a kill on points No. 24 and 25, respectively.

Gideon volleyball players Jaelyn Smith, Lily Watkins and Madison Bonee and others listen to coach Kristen Ashabranner during a timeout in Monday's Class 1 District 2 championship match versus Bell City. (Photo by Eric Viccaro)

Lexis Fry put down a tip to help Gideon close within two points in the final set at 21-19. However, Bell City secured four of the final five points thanks to a pair of Gideon attack errors and kills from Mannon and Bowling.

Darmofal paced the attack with nine kills and Bonee had five; however, the Bulldogs hit just .018 as a team thanks to Bell City’s awesome blocking.

Both Aubree Sharp and Woodall finished with two ace serves. Bonee added one solo ace block. Buchanan finished with a double-double consisting of 19 assists and a team-best 11 digs. Watkins and Clenney both contributed eight digs.

Bell City also swept Gideon on Oct. 6 by scores of 25-14, 25-20, 25-14, so the Bulldogs scored eight more points on the Cubs the second time around.

Bowling finished with four ace serves, 14 kills (.286 hitting efficiency), four ace block assists and six digs. Jines distributed 30 assists to go with a team-best 16 digs. Asher posted a double-double with 12 digs and 12 kills. Kamryn Stubenrauch contributed 10 digs.