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TORONTO -- The Toronto volleyball team had a difficult time getting things going in the right direction against rival Wellsville.
The teams traded points at times in the first set, however, the Tigers were able to pull away and win it and they went on to win the next two as well to defeat the Red Knights, 25-19, 25-10, 25-15, in Toronto's annual Servin' up a Cure match Monday night inside the George J. Kunzler Memorial Gymnasium to sweep the season series.
"They had confidence, and we did not," Toronto (4-13) head coach Lori Lynn Jackson said. "We didn't hit the ball well. Our back row struggled a little bit. We just couldn't find our groove.
"In the first set, we went point for point with them. We just made some mental mistakes that we were not able to come back from.
"We were inconsistent in the second set. Our setters had to go to the back to get the ball. Our hitters were pushing the ball, and there were too many free balls. We weren't swinging like we normally do."
Volleyball is a game of momentum, and the visitors had it on their side a good bit of the night.
"It was a good night for us," Wellsville (12-4) head coach Sherry Allen said.
Individually for the Tigers, Bella Poppelriter tallied four aces, 10 kills, 12 assists and 12 digs, Presley Stokes produced one ace, 19 kills, one block, 11 assists and seven digs and Myleigh Jackson collected two aces, four assists and 10 digs.
Also, Aleena Owens added one ace, five kills and one block, Olivia Edison ended up with five assists and three digs and Gracie Dowling recorded one ace, one kill and one dig.
Finally, Kaylee Kazee contributed one ace and two digs, Kenzie Bosco chipped in with one kill and two digs and Madie Drysdale delivered two kills.
"The girls worked well together," Allen said. "They are learning to talk and to trust each other."
After pulling away late to win the first set, the girls from Columbiana County kept the momentum on their side in the second set as they built the lead and didn't let up en route to a 15-point victory to take a 2-0 lead in the match.
"The first time we played them it went four sets," Coach Jackson said. "We had one bad set. We played three decent sets, one of which we won. We just could not find our groove tonight. We just could not get things going."
The third set was close early one, however, the Orange-and-Black were once again able to pull away from the Red-and-White to win the set and the match.
"We played them once before, so we knew what we were getting into," Allen said.
Proceeds from the night benefit the T.E.A.R. Fund.
"This events helps the Tony Teramana Cancer Center T.E.A.R Fund," Coach Jackson said. "I did a fundraiser for this back when I was coaching at Brooke. They do a lot of good things. This isn't something where you have to wonder where did the money go. They do a lot locally. They help people with utilities, food, housing and everyday things. They give back to the community, and they help the community."
Wellsville is scheduled to play county rival Lisbon tonight at home.
"We have only lost to two teams, and they are both Division V," Allen said. "They are two divisions bigger than us. We only lost 23-25. We played right with them. We did not lose by much."
Toronto is scheduled to play Newcomerstown tonight on the road.
Thursday is the cutoff date for teams to qualify for the annual OVAC Tournament.