Lady Panthers earn split; another clash
with St. Phil could be coming in districts
By Bruce Rolfe
The Climax-Scotts varsity volleyball team ended the regular season with a split in a triangular match at Union City October 30.
The Lady Panthers fell to Union City in three games (13-25, 13-25, 20-25) but responded with a win over Colon in three sets (25-14, 25-22, 25-22).
C-S, which ended the regular season 18-11-5, turned its attention to the districts, where the team faced the winner of the Bellevue-Marshall Academy district match November 6.
A win would send the Lady Panthers into the district championship match at Battle Creek St. Phil November 7 at 6 p.m. against the winner of the semifinal match between St. Phil and the winner of the Athens-Calhoun Christian match played November 4.
If C-S does face St. Phil in the district championship match the team will be looking to enjoy some redemption from a regular season loss October 7 to the Tigers in three sets (12-25, 12-25, 20-25), as well as ending a long losing streak to St. Phil.
The loss October 7 to St. Phil now leaves C-S with 52 straight matches without a match win against the Tigers. The losing skid includes 35 straight match losses before C-S earned a split at the Harper Creek Tournament in 2016 (27-15, 16-25). That split has now been followed by 16 consecutive match losses.
Against Union City Holly Talbert, Mackenzie Vincent, and Sophie Braithwaite all had a team high seven kills, Kendal Reitz and Talbert each led the team in digs with 11, and Ashlynn Gilbert had a team high 15 assists.
Holly Talbert had an all around strong match against Colon with three aces, nine kills and a team high 13 digs.
Sophie Braithwaite had a team high 10 kills to go with 11 digs, Kendal Reitz had 12 digs, Adalynn Reeves had two solo blocks and two block assists for four total blocks and Ashlynn Gilbert had a team high 31 assists to go with 11 digs.
Union City Def. C-S, 25-13, 25-13, 25-20
C-S Stats
Holly Talbert - 1 ace, 7 kills, 11 digs; Mackenzie Vincent - 1 ace, 7 kills, 1 dig; Sophie Braithwaite - 7 kills, 1 block assist, 1 total block, 7 digs; Kendal Reitz - 1 ace, 1 kill, 1 block assist, 1 total block, 1 assist, 11 digs; Jane Carillo - 4 digs; Michaella Carillo - 5 digs; Alyse Langs - 1 ace, 8 assists, 3 digs; Ashlynn Gilbert - 1 ace, 15 assists, 2 digs; Adalynn Reeves - 5 kills, 2 block assists, 2 total blocks, 1 assist
C-S Def. Colon, 25-14, 25-22, 25-22
C-S Stats
Holly Talbert - 3 aces, 9 kills, 13 digs; Mackenzie Vincent - 8 kills, 2 solo blocks, 2 total blocks, 1 dig; Sophie Braithwaite - 1 ace, 10 kills, 1 solo block, 1 total block, 11 digs; Kendal Reitz - 1 ace, 2 kills, 2 block assists, 2 total blocks, 12 digs; Jane Carillo - 5 digs; Michaella Carillo - 1 assist, 5 digs; Alyse Langs - 1 dig; Ashlynn Gilbert - 1 kill, 31 assists, 11 digs; Adalynn Reeves - 1 ace, 4 kills, 2 solo blocks, 2 block assist, 4 total blocks, 5 digs
C-S Can’t Overtime Early 2-Game Deficit in Loss to Delton-Kellogg
While the Climax-Scotts varsity volleyball team showed resilience, the Lady Panthers couldn’t overcome a 2-0 deficit in a 3-1 loss (24-26, 13-25, 25-11, 23-25) to Delton-Kellogg October 28 at C-S Jr./Sr. High School on senior-parent night.
The Climax-Scotts varsity volleyball team ended the regular season with a split in a triangular match at Union City October 30.
The Lady Panthers fell to Union City in three games (13-25, 13-25, 20-25) but responded with a win over Colon in three sets (25-14, 25-22, 25-22).
C-S, which ended the regular season 18-11-5, turned its attention to the districts, where the team faced the winner of the Bellevue-Marshall Academy district match November 6.
A win would send the Lady Panthers into the district championship match at Battle Creek St. Phil November 7 at 6 p.m. against the winner of the semifinal match between St. Phil and the winner of the Athens-Calhoun Christian match played November 4.
If C-S does face St. Phil in the district championship match the team will be looking to enjoy some redemption from a regular season loss October 7 to the Tigers in three sets (12-25, 12-25, 20-25), as well as ending a long losing streak to St. Phil.
The loss October 7 to St. Phil now leaves C-S with 52 straight matches without a match win against the Tigers. The losing skid includes 35 straight match losses before C-S earned a split at the Harper Creek Tournament in 2016 (27-15, 16-25). That split has now been followed by 16 consecutive match losses.
Against Union City Holly Talbert, Mackenzie Vincent, and Sophie Braithwaite all had a team high seven kills, Kendal Reitz and Talbert each led the team in digs with 11, and Ashlynn Gilbert had a team high 15 assists.
Holly Talbert had an all around strong match against Colon with three aces, nine kills and a team high 13 digs.
Sophie Braithwaite had a team high 10 kills to go with 11 digs, Kendal Reitz had 12 digs, Adalynn Reeves had two solo blocks and two block assists for four total blocks and Ashlynn Gilbert had a team high 31 assists to go with 11 digs.
Union City Def. C-S, 25-13, 25-13, 25-20
C-S Stats
Holly Talbert - 1 ace, 7 kills, 11 digs; Mackenzie Vincent - 1 ace, 7 kills, 1 dig; Sophie Braithwaite - 7 kills, 1 block assist, 1 total block, 7 digs; Kendal Reitz - 1 ace, 1 kill, 1 block assist, 1 total block, 1 assist, 11 digs; Jane Carillo - 4 digs; Michaella Carillo - 5 digs; Alyse Langs - 1 ace, 8 assists, 3 digs; Ashlynn Gilbert - 1 ace, 15 assists, 2 digs; Adalynn Reeves - 5 kills, 2 block assists, 2 total blocks, 1 assist
C-S Def. Colon, 25-14, 25-22, 25-22
C-S Stats
Holly Talbert - 3 aces, 9 kills, 13 digs; Mackenzie Vincent - 8 kills, 2 solo blocks, 2 total blocks, 1 dig; Sophie Braithwaite - 1 ace, 10 kills, 1 solo block, 1 total block, 11 digs; Kendal Reitz - 1 ace, 2 kills, 2 block assists, 2 total blocks, 12 digs; Jane Carillo - 5 digs; Michaella Carillo - 1 assist, 5 digs; Alyse Langs - 1 dig; Ashlynn Gilbert - 1 kill, 31 assists, 11 digs; Adalynn Reeves - 1 ace, 4 kills, 2 solo blocks, 2 block assist, 4 total blocks, 5 digs
C-S Can’t Overtime Early 2-Game Deficit in Loss to Delton-Kellogg
While the Climax-Scotts varsity volleyball team showed resilience, the Lady Panthers couldn’t overcome a 2-0 deficit in a 3-1 loss (24-26, 13-25, 25-11, 23-25) to Delton-Kellogg October 28 at C-S Jr./Sr. High School on senior-parent night.
Seniors Sophie Braithwaite, Jane Carillo Keegan, Ashlynn Gilbert, Adalynn Reeves and Holly Talbert and their parents, along with foreign exchange students Martina Almonacid Garcia, from Spain and Azelya Zielinski, with their host parents, were recognized before the match.
C-S fell behind early but kept the first set close before knotting the game 19-19 on a kill by Sophie Braithwaite. C-S took its only lead, 20-19, on a Delton-Kellogg hit error.
Delton led 24-21, however C-S came back to tie the set 24-24 before Delton-Kellogg closed out the win with the final two points.
The Lady Panthers couldn’t overcome a mid-game slump in the second set. Delton-Kellogg went on a 13-4 run to take a double digit lead, 19-9.
C-S responded with a strong third set.
Outside of an early 4-4 tie, the Lady Panthers led the entire set.
After Delton-Kellogg pulled to within 8-7, C-S responded with a 13-3 spurt to move in front 21-10 and the home team maintained the double digit lead the rest of the game.
C-S battled back from a 16-9 deficit in the fourth set to move in front 18-17, but despite pulling to within 24-23, the Lady Panthers could not hold off the visitors, falling short 25-23.
Braithwaite had 13 kills and 22 digs, Talbert had 10 kills and 14 digs, Kendal Reitz contributed nine kills and 19 digs, Ashlynn Gilbert had 38 assists and Adalynn Reeves pitched in with nine kills.
Delton-Kellogg Def. C-S, 26-24, 25-13, 11-25, 25-23
C-S Stat Leaders
Holly Talbert - 10 kills, 14 digs; Mackenzie Vincent - 1 ace, 8 kills, 1 block assist, 1 total block, 3 digs; Sophie Braithwaite - 1 ace, 13 kills, 2 assists, 22 digs; Kendal Reitz - 1 ace, 9 kills, 2 block assists, 2 total blocks, 1 assist, 19 digs; Jane Carillo - 1 assist, 10 digs; Michaella Carillo - 1 kill, 4 digs; Ashlynn Gilbert - 1 kill, 38 assists, 11 digs; Adalynn Reeves - 1 ace, 9 kills, 1 block assist, 1 total block, 8 digs.
G-A Def. C-S 25-14, 24-26, 25-21, 25-18
C-S Stat Leaders
Holly Talbert - 14 kills, 1 solo block, 1 block, 12 digs; Mackenzie Vincent - 2 aces, 3 kills, 1 solo block, 1 total block, 4 digs; Sophie Braithwaite - 2 aces, 9 kills, 16 digs, Kendal Reitz - 6 kills, 1 assist, 8 digs; Jane Carillo - 8 digs; Michaella Carillo - 11 digs; Ashlynn Gilbert - 1 ace, 1 kill, 33 assists, 6 digs; Adalynn Reeves - 1 ace, 2 kills, 6 digs
C-S Varsity Volleyball
A Look Ahead
Districts At B.C. St. Phil
11/7: District championship, 6 p.m
Winner to Mendon Regional 11/11 vs. Lake Mich. Cath. District winner, 7 p.m.
11/13: Regional Championship match at Mendon 7 p.m.
A Look Ahead
Districts At B.C. St. Phil
11/7: District championship, 6 p.m
Winner to Mendon Regional 11/11 vs. Lake Mich. Cath. District winner, 7 p.m.
11/13: Regional Championship match at Mendon 7 p.m.
C-S Varsity Volleyball
A Look Ahead ...
Districts At B.C. St. Phil
11/7: District championship, 6 p.m
Winner to Mendon Regional 11/11 vs. Lake Mich. Cath. District winner, 7 p.m.
11/13: Regional Championship match at Mendon 7 p.m.
A Look Ahead ...
Districts At B.C. St. Phil
11/7: District championship, 6 p.m
Winner to Mendon Regional 11/11 vs. Lake Mich. Cath. District winner, 7 p.m.
11/13: Regional Championship match at Mendon 7 p.m.
Senior-Parent Night
Seniors and foreign exchange students on the Climax-Scotts volleyball team were recognized before the October 28 match against Delton-Kellogg at C-S Jr./Sr. High School. Pictured are (left to right) Martina Almonacid Garcia from Spain, with host parents Murat and Cheryl Bates, Azelya Zielinski from Belgum, with host parents Murat and Cheryl Bates, Sophie Braithwaite with Alex and Andrea Braithwaite, Jane Carillo Keegan. with Liene and Charlie Keegan, Ashlynn Gilbert, with Andy and Angela Gilbert, Addy Reeves, with Bailey and Chip Paddock and Tony and Chelea Reeves, and Holly Talbert, with Josh and Kari Talbert.
(Photo by Bruce Rolfe)
Panthers advance to regional finals
with 72-62 win over Gobles
By Bruce Rolfe
While a 54-32 setback to Gobles in the first game of the season back in August was likely in the back of their minds, you could almost feel a level of confidence surrounded the Climax-
Scotts varsity football team Friday that would lead to a win in a first round playoff clash with the Tigers.
The Panthers flexed their offensive muscles for the second straight game, overcame an injury to a starter and captured a 72-62 pre-regional win over Gobles at Gobles.
The win sets up a clash with Martin (10-0), 40-0 winners over Marcellus last Friday, in the regional championship game November 7 at 7 p.m.
The second straight 72-point effort gives the team 540 points for the season, establishing a new school record for points in a season in 8-man football. Last year’s team scored 522 points in 10 games (8-2). The 540 points are also the most for a C-S team since the 2016 team scored 554 points playing 11-man football over 12 games (11-1).
C-S senior Liam LaSala felt growth and confidence levels were keys last Friday compared to when the Panthers faced Gobles in the first game of the season.
“The first week, none of us were that confident. We’re a young team. Everyone was put into their roles. Coming into week 10, we all felt so much more confident in not just our skill, but trusting our teammates and running through the plays the way they should be,” said LaSala.
LsSala said confidence is really growing.
“Especially after somebody makes a big play. We’re all hyped up. We’re giving each other love and energy and that’s what moves us to give 100 percent on that field,” adds the Panther senior.
Similar to the previous week’s 72-64 win over Pittsford, for the most part, Friday night’s game was a back and forth classic.
C-S got on the scoreboard first 1:40 into the game when Elijah Bowron found a big hole created by the offensive line for a 26-yard touchdown scamper (the two-point conversion was no good).
While a 54-32 setback to Gobles in the first game of the season back in August was likely in the back of their minds, you could almost feel a level of confidence surrounded the Climax-
Scotts varsity football team Friday that would lead to a win in a first round playoff clash with the Tigers.
The Panthers flexed their offensive muscles for the second straight game, overcame an injury to a starter and captured a 72-62 pre-regional win over Gobles at Gobles.
The win sets up a clash with Martin (10-0), 40-0 winners over Marcellus last Friday, in the regional championship game November 7 at 7 p.m.
The second straight 72-point effort gives the team 540 points for the season, establishing a new school record for points in a season in 8-man football. Last year’s team scored 522 points in 10 games (8-2). The 540 points are also the most for a C-S team since the 2016 team scored 554 points playing 11-man football over 12 games (11-1).
C-S senior Liam LaSala felt growth and confidence levels were keys last Friday compared to when the Panthers faced Gobles in the first game of the season.
“The first week, none of us were that confident. We’re a young team. Everyone was put into their roles. Coming into week 10, we all felt so much more confident in not just our skill, but trusting our teammates and running through the plays the way they should be,” said LaSala.
LsSala said confidence is really growing.
“Especially after somebody makes a big play. We’re all hyped up. We’re giving each other love and energy and that’s what moves us to give 100 percent on that field,” adds the Panther senior.
Similar to the previous week’s 72-64 win over Pittsford, for the most part, Friday night’s game was a back and forth classic.
C-S got on the scoreboard first 1:40 into the game when Elijah Bowron found a big hole created by the offensive line for a 26-yard touchdown scamper (the two-point conversion was no good).
Cole Birkam (51), Elijah Bowron (4) and Liam LaSala (21) are pictured blocking for ball carrier Maddox Wyman during action against Gobles October 31.
(Photo by Bruce Rolfe)
A 60-yard touchdown run by Steven Juarez set up Gobles’ first touchdown, a two-yard plunge by Juarez with 8:37 left in the first quarter. Juarez ran in the two-point conversion, giving Gobles an 8-6 lead.
C-S closed the quarter strong for a 22-8 lead with a 40-yard touchdown run by Elijah Bowron (Maddox Wyman completed a pass to Hunter LaSala on the two-point conversion) with 7:59 left in the quarter and a 20-yard run by Mason Shannon (Alexander Wurtzel completed a pass to Hunter LaSala on the two-point play) with 22 seconds left in the quarter.
Gobles responded with an early strike at the 11:12 mark of the second quarter on a 3-yard touchdown run by Nathan Ray and two-point conversion run by the Tiger senior to pull the home team to within 22-16.
C-S bounced back when senior Liam LaSala scored on a 21-yard burst with 8:39 left in the second frame (the two-point conversion was no good) for a 28-16 C-S lead.
Gobles pulled to within 28-24 at the 6:41 mark on a 37-yard touchdown run by Juarez and two-point conversion by Aiden Beam.
C-S saw a drive stalled on a fumble at the Gobles 19-yard line with 2:05 left in the first half and the home team turned the take away into eight points.
Ray crossed the goal line from 15 yards out with 1:19 left and Juarez ran in the two-point conversion for a 32-28 Tiger lead.
C-S delivered a big blow when Shannon got loose for a 44-yard touchdown run with 25.3 seconds left in the first half. An Alex Wurtzel pass to Hunter LaSala on the two-point conversion sent C-S into halftime with a 36-32 lead.
The Panthers started the second half with an early strike when Liam LaSala broke loose for a 44-yard touchdown run just 53 seconds into the stanza. LaSala ran in the two-point conversion for a 44-32 C-S lead.
Gobles came right back on the first play from scrimmage when Aiden Beam got loose and scampered 57 yards for a touchdown at the 10:50 mark. Juarez ran in the two-point conversion, pulling Gobles to within 44-40.
Gobles appeared to generate some momentum with 5:20 left in the third quarter on a 45-yard touchdown pass however a penalty wiped the play out. The tough Panther defense held the Tigers moments later on a fourth and 16 play, giving the visitors the ball on the Gobles 49-yard line.
Liam LaSala stormed into the endzone on a 3-yard run with 2:24 left in the quarter and then the Panther senior ran in the two-point conversion for a 52-40 C-S lead after three quarters.
The determined Tigers responded with a 14-yard touchdown run and two-point conversion run by Juarez with 10:41 left for a 52-48 deficit.
It took C-S just 48 seconds to respond.
Elijah Bowron found a big hole and enjoyed a 48-yard touchdown run (the two-point conversion was no good) for a 58-48 C-S lead.
Gobles answered just 54 seconds later when Ray scored on a 18-yard run and Juarez ran in the two-point conversion for a 58-56 C-S lead with 8:52 left in the game.
An 8-yard touchdown strike from Alexander Wurtzel to Hunter LaSala with 3:34 left followed by a Liam LaSala extra point kick gave C-S a two-possession lead, 65-56 late in the game.
Maddox Wyman ended Gobles’ comeback thoughts with an interception with 2:53 left and then 1:53 later Liam LaSala scored on a 4-yard touchdown run followed by an extra point kick by the Panther senior for a 72-56 lead with 1:03 left in the game.
Gobles established the final score when Juarez scored on a 1-yard run with no time left on the clock.
Starting offensive lineman Cooper Dinse left the game late in the first quarter with an ankle sprain. He will be evaluated and his status for the Martin game is unknown.
Aaden Krick, who sat out two previous games because of a knee injury, rotated into Dinse’s tackle position on the offensive line.
Dinse originally played an offensive guard position however when Krick hurt his knee three weeks ago the C-S junior slid into Krick’s tackle position.
Bryce Birkam moved into Krick’s position in his absence for two weeks.
Both teams enjoyed huge offensive numbers.
C-S had 556 total yards while Gobles piled up 618 yards.
The Panthers rushed for 490 yards and passed for another 66 yards.
Gobles totaled 502 yards on the ground and threw for another 116 yards.
Elijah Bowron amassed 215 yards on 18 carries and scored three touchdowns.
Liam LaSala added 174 yards on 20 carries and scored four rushing touchdowns.
Mason Shannon, who was playing with a sore hip, had 77 yards on three carries with two rushing touchdowns and one catch for 20 yards.
Hunter LaSala added four catches for 46 yards and one touchdown.
Wurtzel was 5-for-7 passing for 66 yards and one touchdown pass.
Bowron added seven tackles defensively.
