TORONTO -- The Big Red volleyball team extended its winning streak against Jefferson County opponents.
Big Red entered its match against Toronto 3-0 against county rivals, and Big Red improved their mark to 4-0 by sweeping the Red Knights, 25-15, 25-20, 25-21, Thursday night inside the George J. Kunzler Memorial Gymnasium.
"The girls played together as a team and as a family," Big Red (7-5) head coach Logan Colabella said. "They played great tonight."
Toronto battled, but the young Red Knights were unable overcome Big Red.
"Actually, I was very happy with how we performed," Toronto (2-8) head coach Lori Lynn Jackson said. "I have said it a million times, we have got a young team. This is a building year. The girls improve every time they step onto the court.
"Steubenville has a strong program. Logan does an awesome job. They play well. They are more experienced.
"Coming in here, I was not expecting it to be an easy match. They hit well. They pass well. They move well.
"I thought our girls did a good job of adjusting to their hitters. Our young girls stepped up. They moved well. They were able to touch balls."
Individually for the Red-and-Black, Kaitlyn Smith tallied four points, seven kills and 17 assists, Aubrey Slussar scored two points to go along with 13 assists and one dig and Analesa Purdue produced three points, 10 kills and one block. Also, Sena Smith contributed six points and one dig, Alaina Vrable added 11 points and nine kills and Kayla Biasi collected 12 points and two digs. Finally, Giuilana Cramer recorded five kills, A'rya Bigsby finished with four kills and Emma Lyons ended up with three kills and one block.
"We only see them once this year, so I have not seen them," Jackson said about Big Red. "I didn't really have anything to go off. I saw them a little bit. I saw them play early in the season."
Big Red controlled the first set, but the girls from the Gem City made the visitors work hard in the final two sets.
"They are a solid passing team," Colabella said about Toronto. They are a good team."
Big Red is scheduled to play Wheeling Central Monday at home inside the Crimson Center.
"The girls played together tonight," Colabella said. "They played together as a team. They fought hard. I am proud of them."
Toronto is slated to play Lisbon Monday at home before playing Weir in a rescheduled match Tuesday on the road.
"We are at the halfway point of the season," Jackson said. "The girls have fought in every match, but against one team. I'm not going to say which team, but there was only one match where we did not see their true colors. In the other nine matches, the girls have gotten stronger every time they have stepped onto the court. I'm happy with how they have performed."
Toronto got two aces, 20 assists, 11 digs and two kills from Chloe Fisher, eight kills, 10 digs and an ace from Jayna Reeves, 22 digs from Gracee Rex, 10 digs from Jaylee Brown and six digs and an ace from JJ Rebich.
Big Red has wins this season against Indian Creek, Edison, Catholic Central and now Toronto. Big Red has only dropped one set to county opponents.