Hillsboro Christian Academy boys win first varsity volleyball match
Brayden Rizer (right) tips the ball off the serve from FCS.
By Colin Ryan
The Highland County Press
The Hillsboro Christian Academy Crusaders have begun their first season of boys varsity volleyball. The Crusaders began their season with a loss on the road against the Ross County Christian Academy Eagles, losing three sets to one in their first game as a team on March 27. The Crusaders came back the following night to host their first home varsity boys volleyball game against the Fayette Christian School Crusaders. The HCA Crusaders won the game in three sets by scores of 25-9, 25-10 and 25-23.
The HCA Crusaders began the game against the FCS Crusaders with an early 3-0 lead thanks in part to server Joshua Baggs. Leading scorers in the first set for HCA were Baggs, Isaac Dockins and Connor Henderson with five points each. The Crusaders took the first set 25-9 to jump out to an early lead.
Freshman JB Knisley gave the HCA Crusaders an insurmountable lead early in the second set, scoring eight straight points. Dockins continued to play well in his home debut with six more points in the second set. Kellin Storer and Jonah Brannon each added four points of their own to help the HCA Crusaders take the second set 25-10.
Fayette Christian School took the lead to start the third set. Freshman setter Titus Howsman started the rally though that brought HCA back into the game with a run of five straight points. Howsman finished the set with a total of seven. Junior Jacob Crusie scored six straight points for HCA to tie the game 18-18 after being behind when he began his run. Henderson, Howsman and Knisley closed out the third and final set for HCA, taking the 25-23 victory.
The Crusaders improve to 1-1 on the season and will take on the Unioto High School Sherman Tanks on Wednesday, March 29 at home.
“Coming off a tough loss yesterday, the team came into this game ready to prove to everyone that they have been working hard and have the potential to win some games this year," said Coach Tyler Tomera. "They did a great job working together to get their first win.”
The HCA Crusaders were led in assists, hits in play and playable passes by Titus Howsman with seven, nine and 28 respectively. Isaac Dockins and JB Knisley led the HCA Crusaders in aces with six and five, respectively.