STEUBENVILLE — The Madonna volleyball team came out fired up against rival Catholic Central, while the Crusaders were lackadaisical, and the Blue Dons made them pay.

Madonna played its brand of volleyball throughout the match, and it was enough to sweep Catholic Central, 25-22, 25-17, 25-23, Wednesday night inside the Mickey Barber Gymnasium.

“I am really proud of our players,” Madonna (6-11) coach Monica Moore said. “They were consistent. They controlled the net. They played Madonna volleyball.”

The Crusaders had a chance to win the third set as the set was tied at 23, however, the Blue Dons scored the final two points to win the game and sweep the match. The Blue Dons led 18-10 in the set before the Crusaders staged a furious comeback to keep hope alive.

“We started too late,” first-year Catholic Central (10-9) head coach Jenna Ogden said. “We did not turn it on until 18 points in the third set.”

Individually for Madonna, Bella DiPietrantonio tallied 10 kills, Anna Backel collected 26 digs and Nina Daugherty delivered 17 digs. Also, Morgan Owens ended up with 16 assists, and Bri Glosser recorded four kills.

“They really played well,” Ogden said about the Blue Dons. “They hustled. They went after every ball. They disrupted our offense so we were unable to get good swings.”

For Catholic Central, Jayda Jones ended up with five kills and 26 digs, Clara Symington collected five kills and six blocks and Londy Marracino contributed five assists and one ace. Also, Gianna Scugoza produced 16 digs and Natalia Dunburg recorded five blocks.

Madonna made all the necessary plays down the stretch of all three sets to pull out a win against its rival.

“More than anything I wanted to win this game for our seniors,” Ogden said. “They have worked hard this year. They have made a positive impact on the team. They are good leaders.”

Catholic Central’s five seniors are Julia Lopresto, Symington, Jones, Dunburg and Marracino.

Catholic Central is scheduled to play Harrison Central tonight at home in an OVAC pool play match. The jayvee match is scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m.

Madonna is slated to play Valley Oct. 21 at home. The JV match is scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m.