Derrick Webb, Managing Editor
Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
CHILLICOTHE — Make no mistake about it … Miami Trace looks a lot different than it did last year.
They’re young, inexperienced at some positions and haven’t played in a ton of big games.
But the Panthers are still the same ol’ Panthers. The expectation of success is still in place and coach Doug Mace just keeps leading his girls to victories.
The latest came on Tuesday night, and it was as important as ever.
Behind a herculean effort from Lauren Guess and a pesky defense, Miami Trace traveled to Chillicothe and handed the Cavaliers their first league loss by a 25-13, 26-24, 16-25, 25-23 final.
“This was probably our best match, as far as working together,” Mace said. “We’ve got some young players and we’ve got three sophomores on the floor that have never played varsity volleyball before this year. We stayed focused tonight and stayed on point. We stayed in our defense and didn’t get frustrated. That’s a big thing, especially for our three sophomores.”
Guess was nothing short of spectacular all night long. She gave the Cavaliers’ defense fits and consistently won jousts at the net.
She finished the night with a match-high 28 kills alongside 13 digs, a pair of blocks and a pair of aces.
“She’s been great all year long,” Mace said. “We’ve had Addyson [Butts] the last four years. Last year, we had [Guess] in the middle and I thought, being young, our passing might not be as good as it was last year. So we moved her outside so we could get her the ball more. But she carries a huge load for us. She’s tougher than nails and she has the right attitude.”
As always, Guess and the rest of Miami Trace’s hitters were assisted by All-Ohio setter Kylie Yeazel.
The junior’s 43 assists in the match puts her at 1,730 in her career — making it very possible to collect her 2,000th career helper with an entire year ahead of her.
“We’re blessed,” Mace said. “The setter that Kylie replaced [Gracey Ferguson] was really good for us. But Kylie took it to another level. She makes our other kids better. She was hurting a little tonight and we even thought we might have to pull her. But we’re spoiled.”
The Panthers (5-2, 3-0 FAC) took a lead in the first set and never looked back.
Guess and Lauren Farrens attacked at the net while Yeazel made a difference at the service line, putting MT ahead 9-1 before they took leads of 14-4 and 22-9 en route to a 25-13 win.
CREDIT: Derrick Webb/SOSA
Chillicothe (5-6, 2-1 FAC) put up a fight in the second, taking a late lead at 21-20 and extending it to 24-20 behind junior Evelyn Hamman.
But Miami Trace was able to battle back and go on a 6-0 run to stun the Cavaliers, taking a 2-0 match lead with a 26-24 victory.
In the third, after much back-and-forth action, Hamman put Chillicothe ahead 9-8 before Makalee Miller, Marisa Stiteler and Natalie Dudley helped out to make it a 16-9 score.
That was more than enough momentum to put away a 25-15 win and indent a chink in MT’s armor.
The Cavaliers carried that energy over into the fourth, where they took a 10-5 lead. But it was all for naught as Guess started to get rolling.
She tied the set at 10-10, ending a 5-0 run, before Farrens later put Miami Trace ahead 19-18. Farrens would power down another kill, making it 21-19, before her Panthers sealed a hard-fought 25-23 win.
“Chillicothe is so fun to play with and that’s a young team, too,” Mace said. “That helps our league. Having games like this makes us both better. I’m sure they’re going to come to our place and it’s going to be a battle. This matchup just brings out the best in all of our kids.”
Statistically, Hamman led Chillicothe with 22 kills alongside six digs and seven blocks. Miller also helped out with eight kills, Vivian Morgan tallied a team-high 20 digs, and both Grace Tomlinson and Campbell McCallister ended the night with 14 digs.
Following Guess’ final stat line was Farrens with 17 kills and three aces. Keionnie Ackley anchored the defense with 31 digs, and Yeazel added 43 assists and 17 digs.
While Chillicothe attempts to bounce back on Thursday at Washington Court House, the Panthers will look to keep momentum alive with a home date against McClain.
“We’re still battling and part of that is because of the girls we had graduated,” Mace said. “Those girls were good role models to our younger kids. So our girls know what it takes to play and be competitive in big games like this. Right now, I’m just really proud. We’ve got some terrific kids. I told them at the beginning of the summer that we’d be a different team, but when it comes together, it could look pretty nice. So far, we’re looking pretty good.”
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