Triad opened the season with a hard-fought four-set victory over Calvary Christian Tuesday night, defeating the Spartans 25-23, 25-16, 23-25, 25-12.
The opening set quickly established the tone for what would be a back-and-forth battle.
Neither team was able to gain much separation early, but Triad began to pull away late in the set, building an 18-14 advantage.
Calvary Christian had an answer.
The Spartans battled back and eventually took a 23-21 lead, putting themselves just two points away from stealing the opening set and taking early control of the match.
Triad responded with four straight points.
A key kill from Avery Eaton started the Cardinals’ run, and Triad capitalized on Calvary Christian mistakes to regain the lead. A violation gave Triad set point, and the Cardinals completed the comeback with a 25-23 victory.
After surviving the opening-set rally, Triad took control in the second.
The Cardinals’ service game became a major factor, consistently putting pressure on the Calvary Christian back row. The Spartans struggled to handle the serves cleanly, allowing Triad to build momentum and eventually pull away.
Triad rolled to a 25-16 win and took a 2-0 lead in the match.
Calvary Christian, however, refused to go quietly.
The third set featured another series of momentum swings, but Triad appeared to be in control after opening up a 14-9 lead.
The Cardinals continued to build their advantage and eventually moved ahead 20-13.
With Triad just five points away from completing the sweep, the Spartans found another gear.
Calvary Christian scored 11 of the next 12 points.
Sophia Titus helped ignite the run, including an eight-point stretch that completely flipped the momentum of the set. Suddenly, the Spartans had their first set point of the night at 24-21.
Triad fought back.
The Cardinals scored the next two points to make it 24-23 and appeared ready to extend the set even further.
Then Calvary Christian middle blocker Bella Titus delivered.
Titus put a shot into the right corner for the set-winning point, giving the Spartans a 25-23 victory and cutting Triad’s match advantage to 2-1.
The comeback had given Calvary Christian momentum heading into the fourth set.
But Triad had the final answer.
The Cardinals came out firing and immediately took control, jumping out to a 12-1 lead.
Unlike the third set, there would be no comeback this time.
Triad continued to pressure the Spartans throughout the remainder of the set, never allowing Calvary Christian to put together another extended run.
The Cardinals closed out the fourth set 25-12, securing the four-set victory and opening the season with a win.
The match featured several stretches where momentum shifted dramatically between the two teams, particularly in the opening and third sets.
Triad head coach Kim Staten credited her team’s performance across several areas, including the Cardinals’ three primary attackers, the play of new setter Haven Cantrell, and the effort from the back row.
The full replay of the broadcast is available now on Peak of Ohio TV HERE.
Riverside also opened its season Tuesday against Jackson Center.
The Riverside junior varsity team fell in two sets, but several players contributed in the loss.
Ellie Zwiebel led the Pirates with four assists, three kills, two blocks and four aces. Kenzie Stotler added five digs, while Karly Gillman finished with four digs. Addison Shoe contributed five kills.
The Riverside varsity team fell to Jackson Center in three sets, 25-14, 25-17, 25-8.
Emilee Robinson led the Pirates with 10 digs, while Bella Robinson added eight digs. Valerie Knight finished with four kills.
