Urbana volleyball rallies past previously unbeaten Tuscarora in four sets
Urbana dropped the opening set but won the next three to beat Tuscarora 21-25, 25-16, 25-22, 25-16 and hand the Titans their first loss.
HERE'S WHAT WE KNOW
Urbana beat Tuscarora 3-1. Set scores were 21-25, 25-16, 25-22, 25-16. Tuscarora suffered its first loss and fell to 4-1. Urbana has now won difficult matches against Frederick and Tuscarora in the same week. Lily King had 15 kills and 18 digs for Tuscarora. Sydney Young had eight kills, three aces and three blocks. Sydney Duppins made several momentum-changing plays for Urbana.
Urbana volleyball entered the week trying to find its rhythm.
By Thursday night, the Hawks appeared to be finding it.
After dropping the opening set to previously unbeaten Tuscarora, Urbana responded with three straight wins to take the match 21-25, 25-16, 25-22, 25-16.
Tuscarora looked ready to make a statement early.
The Titans used timely kills from Lily King and Sydney Young and closed the first set on a Zayna Brooks ace.
But Urbana made adjustments.
Coach Emily Sexton said her team settled down, communicated better and improved defensively after a slow start. The Hawks also took advantage of Tuscarora’s serve-receive problems over the final three sets.
Senior middle hitter Ivory Boone, Naomi McNeal and Sydney Duppins all made important plays as Urbana seized control.
Duppins was particularly important in the second and third sets.
With Urbana leading 11-9 in the second, she delivered a kill and a block during a 4-0 run that helped the Hawks create separation.
Later, when Tuscarora closed within 23-22 in the third set, Duppins produced another key attack before freshman Ella Liu finished the set with an ace.
Urbana entered the week at 1-3 and facing back-to-back matches against Frederick and Tuscarora.
The Hawks won both in four sets.
Tuscarora fell to 4-1.
King led the Titans with 15 kills, 18 digs and two aces.
Young added eight kills, three aces and three blocks, while Jayla Harris had seven kills, seven digs and two aces.
Brooks finished with 12 assists, while Serena Treadwell had 10 assists and 10 digs.
The loss ended Tuscarora’s unbeaten start, while Urbana continued to rebuild momentum after its slow opening stretch.
WHAT IT MEANS
Urbana’s season may be starting to turn.
The Hawks entered the week below .500 but responded with two quality county wins against Frederick and previously unbeaten Tuscarora.
For the Titans, the loss exposes areas to clean up, particularly serve receive, but does not erase a strong 4-1 start.
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