West Branch wins 2 to pad streak

The Warriors won their fourth match in a row and improved to a 6-2 record.
By GREG GULAS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
CANFIELD -- Dena New had 14 points and 17 assists as the West Branch High volleyball team defeated Canfield, 25-20, 20-8, as part of a tri-match at the Cardinals' gymnasium Saturday.
Evelyn Woods added seven points, seven kills and five blocks, and stood out defensively.
"Evelyn Woods and Dena New are our two captains who provide much needed leadership for us," Warrior head coach Sue Deas said. "Our entire team did an excellent job today.
"Canfield was able to block our balls early in the game and it caused us to become more alert," Deas said. "When that happened, we did a much better job of covering the entire floor. That coverage then caused the momentum to shift our way."
Woods keys charge
Three points by the Cardinals' Natasha Kassim and Jackie Nentwick staked Canfield (6-2) to a 16-12 lead in the opening game, but five points by Woods gave the Warriors a 19-18 margin. That was the closest the Cardinals would get.
"Our last two times out we played well at the start, but we let a few mistakes get the best of us and it has been costly," Canfield coach Ronie Haurin said. "By minimizing those mistakes, we won't beat ourselves.
"Take nothing away from West Branch as they play a nice, aggressive game," Haurin said. "That is the trademark of a Sue Deas-coached team. Her teams always hustle to the ball."
In the second game, Lauren Pshsniak gave West Branch an early 3-0 lead.
New leads spurt
But when New added eight of her points, the Warriors built a 12-1 lead en route to a 25-8 victory.
Kate Heagerty's two points made her the only Cardinal with multiple points in the second contest.
"The momentum from the first game carried us in game two," Deas said. "That was a real key for us."
Kelly Reese had 10 assists and four digs, Stephanie Jarvis had four kills and six digs and Kerrie Haurin had three blocks for the Cardinals.
West Branch 25-25, United 22-18
New scored eight points and made 14 assists as West Branch (6-2) won for its fourth consecutive time.
Woods had four points, four kills and a block while Casey Benner made three points and eight kills. Rachel Boyce had seven points, eight kills and two blocks.
United 25-18-15,Canfield 20-25-13
Natasha Kassim had 10 points and five kills for the Cardinals (6-3), who have lost three straight.
Jarvis added eight points, eight kills and nine digs and Reese had 17 assists, four points and one ace.