VOLLEYBALL Fitch earns first Federal League triumph

Stacie Mang scored on eight straight serves.
By GREG GULAS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
AUSTINTOWN -- Jessica Evans had 10 points, seven kills, 11 digs and three aces Thursday as the Austintown Fitch High volleyball team easily defeated Massillon Jackson, 15-4, 15-2.
Stacie Mang had 21 assists as the Falcons evened their record at 4-4 and earned their first Federal League victory (1-2).
"We played very mature as a team," Fitch coach Tom Case said. "This was without a doubt our most solid effort from start to finish this season.
"After dropping our first two Federal League games, it's nice to finally get into the win column in league play," Case said. "Two keys were Rachel Terzak and her excellent defensive game, and Stacie Mang, who was solid all night in setting the ball for us."
Strong start
Evans gave the Falcons a fast start as she scored the first three points of the first game.
Maggie Case's two points made it 5-2 in favor of Fitch, but Jackson's Sammie Hubbard registered her only two points of the night to cut Fitch's lead to 5-4.
It was the last points Jackson (1-3, 1-2) would score in the first game as Mang ran off eight straight points to make it 13-4.
Evans added the final two points of the contest for the 15-4 victory.
"Take nothing away from Austintown Fitch because they played great overall," Jackson coach Julie Kovick said. "This, however, was not my team tonight. We were not ready to play. We made far too many errors and that really cost us."
Limited offense
Dani Fullmer scored the first two points of the second game for Jackson, but it was the only offense that the Polar Bears could generate the remainder of the night.
Freshman Caitlin O'Patchen reeled off three points to give Fitch a 3-2 lead, and the Falcons stayed ahead the rest of the way.
One point by Case, four points by Allison Kenney and one point each by Mang and O'Patchen made it 10-2 in Fitch's favor before Case scored the final five points for the 15-2 victory.
"The first game set the tone for us in game two," Tom Case said. "You can't say enough about O'Patchen who is just a freshman.
"We served well all night, and when the momentum is in your favor, like it was for us tonight, everything around you looks that much better," Case said.
Mang also registered six points, four kills, three digs and four aces while senior Jenn Drabison had five points, five kills and a block.
Maria Telloni had nine digs and Shelly Bailey two kills for the Polar Bears.