GOING UP — Madonna’s Geena Birkhimer goes up for a kill against Catholic Central. - Kailin Highes

STEUBENVILLE — After some quality losses against tough opponents to start the season, the Madonna volleyball team has reeled off four wins in its last five matches.

The most recent in that total came Wednesday at Catholic Central, as the Blue Dons (4-3) swept in straight sets, 25-22, 25-13, and 25-12.

Communication has been the key lately for head coach Jaedyn Hissam and her charges, and Wednesday was no different.

“Our big focus right now is improving our team communication,” Hissam noted. “That way we can get a little more consistent. That’s what I’ve been asking of them for the last couple nights. We prioritize our communication and what we’re doing on our side of the court and it makes everything flow a little better.”

There was only one portion of Wednesday’s match where the visitors experienced any prolonged communication breakdown.

Leading the Crusaders 21-13, the hosts set off on a string of seven unanswered points, three in a row coming off aces from Tessa Beaulieu.

There was miscommunication in receiving serve and also in the passing department. That allowed Catholic Central to knot the score before Madonna scored the final five of six points to close out Set One.

Leaidng the way was the hitting tandem of junior Madison Owens and sophomore Geena Birkhimer.

Owens led the Blue Dons with 10 kills, while Birkhimer was right behind with eight.

Both benefitted from an impressive setting display from sophomore Sophie Brady.

Utilizing a soft touch with her sets, Brady seemingly set up the two perfectly as she finished with 22 assists for the match.

“When we communicate, you can see we play pretty well,” Hissam added. “That’s why we emphasize that consistent communication.”

Catholic Central, conversely, was battling through communication and passing issues.

Ater an attack error allowed the Crusaders to close the game to 13-9 in the second set, Madonna scored the next seven points to take a 20-9 advantage, one it didn’t relinquish.

Gianna Lemal led the Crusaders with four kills, but the team’s overall attack opportunities were limited. Often times, Catholic Central hitters were forced to pass the ball over on the third hit as opposed to setting up properly for a kill attempt.

Catholic Central coach Kaylyn Cochran noted that passing was a bit of a concern Wednesday.

“I think it ultimately starts with passing,” Cochran said. “If we can’t get a good pass, then our setters can’t do their job. There was a little confusion on the court at times and we can get flustered against a good attacked team.

“We couldn’t get out of our own head.”

Lemal added 3 1/2 blocks to go with her total, team highs in both categories.

The second set saw Catholic Central commit 11 total errors which, coupled with a hit-or-miss attack, didn’t do the hosts any favors.

Through four games, Cochran has seen her team displays flashes of the ability to attack the net, but consistency has been the downfall thus far.

“When we’re warmed up and able to have controlled passing, our hitters are fantastic,” Cochran said. “But it all starts with the pass. Consistency is it.”