PREP ROUNDUP: Eagles top OV in WIC title preview; Clover spikers get back on track

SPENCER — In a preview of Saturday’s Western Indiana Conference championship, South Putnam traveled to Owen Valley on Tuesday evening and beat the Patriots 4-1.

The Eagles swept the three singles matches and only lost at No. 2 doubles.

“Thomas Fanning and Ty VanSickle continue to play with confidence and disposed of their opponents in straight sets,” South coach Johnny Briones said. “Two doubles struggled but continued to play hard despite the loss. Three singles [Garrett] Heavin has been playing really well the last couple of matches, playing more consistently and getting more first serves in, and won in three sets to seal the team win.”

Briones noted that his No. 1 doubles team of Austin Arnold and Tanner Pistelli had a slow start, but was able to regroup and win in three sets.

“I was extremely proud of how they bounced back to take the last two sets,” Briones said. “Our JV continue to impress, and everyone continues to improve.”

The Eagles will practice today before playing at Crawfordsville on Thursday prior to Saturday’s WIC title match.

“We are gaining some momentum heading toward the sectional,” Briones said.

Varsity

South Putnam 4, Owen Valley 1

Singles — 1. Thomas Fanning (SP) def. Coy Byerly (OV) 6-3, 6-2; 2. Ty VanSickle (SP) def. Isaiah Johnson (OV) 6-4, 6-2; 3. Garrett Heavin (SP) def. Rece Heckman (OV) 3-6, 6-4, 6-1.

Doubles — 1. Austin Arnold-Tanner Pistelli (SP) def. Dre Mauder-Keaton Richardson (OV) 0-6, 6-3, 6-4; 2. Logan Headley-Jalen Hodge (OV) def. Nate Clearwaters-Trey Blaydes (SP) 6-2, 6-1.

Junior varsity

Owen Valley 4, South Putnam 2

Singles — Colby Beckwith (OV) def. Ethan Wallace (SP) 8-3; Ty Roudebush (OV) def. Michael LeBlanc (SP) 8-6; Zion Harris (SP) def. Sam Chisham (OV) 6-2; Cameron Mauder (OV) def. Ethan Wallace (SP) 6-3.

Doubles — Trey Long-Brandon Rector (SP) def. Ethan Lantz-Zane Sparks (OV) 8-1; Kaleb Dill-Zachery Hamilton (OV) def. Trystan Smithers-Nate Ladd (SP) 8-0.

Volleyball

• Cloverdale 3, Riverton Parke 1 — The Clovers won the final two sets after splitting the first two sets to defeat the Panthers on Tuesday.

Cloverdale won the first set 25-22 and Riverton Parke won the second set 25-21, before the Clovers closed out the match with wins of 25-21 and 25-16.

The Clovers improved to 12-4 with the win.

Hannah Rady had 36 assists to lead the Clovers and added 14 points. Tori Combs added 10 points, while Hailey Thomas led the team in digs with 19.

Combs had kills and Kenzie Stoltz had 13.

“This was a really good win against a quality volleyball team with an outstanding hitter in Katrina Cruser,” Clover coach Jim Spencer said. “I thought we did a good job of trying to limit her kills with effective blocking and digging.”

Spencer thought his team improved in several areas.

“Overall, we were much better offensively and defensively with regards to positioning and understanding our individual responsibilities on each play,” he said. “We are getting better at making adjustments with each match. We must continue to get better with communication on the court.”

Riverton Parke won the JV match 25-23, 22-25 and 15-7.

Bella Branneman led the Clovers with 15 digs, while Kacey Shedron led with 17 assists.

Ashlynn Basore and Alexia Wynia each had eight kills, while Branneman served 11 points.

The Clovers play at Monrovia on Thursday.

In other volleyball:

• Greencastle 3, Edgewood 1 — The Tiger Cubs defeated Edgewood in Monday night’s match.

Greencastle won the first set 25-17, before the Mustangs came back to tie the match by winning the second set 25-21.

The Tiger Cubs won the final two sets by scores of 25-18 and 25-19 to wrap up the match.

“Jalyn Duff and Anna Zellers spread out the offense for the Cubs, causing the Mustangs to get out of system multiple times per sets,” Greencastle coach Maggie Walters said. “This allowed the Cub’s defense to run a quick offense with all six hitters.”

Allison Stevens led with 14 kills, while Lilly Meyer recorded 12 and Jada Amis added 10.

Duff finished with 26 assists, and Zellers added 19 assists.

“Defensively, Ivy Wright did a nice job of protecting the Mustangs’ cross-court shots with 17 digs,” Walters said.

Meyer also had 12 digs on the evening, while Jalyn Duff added seven.

“Mckenzie Woodall, Ivy and Lilly Meyer all controlled the serve receive, allowing the setters to run their hitters,” Walters said.

Greencastle’s JV also won in two sets.

Both teams travel to Northview this evening to meet the Knights.