By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information
Toledo, OH---The No. 9 Express are making a strong early season statement, and the results couldn't have been any better this past weekend.
They swept past No. 1 Johnson County, No. 6 Illinois Central, No. 8 Kishwaukee, No. 18 Hagerstown, Vincennes and McHenry in the Owens Express Invitational to improve to 12-1 overall.
The Express started the weekend with a 25-11, 25-15, 25-22 win over Vincennes. Then, on Friday evening, they upset No. 1 Johnson County 25-13, 25-21, 23-25, 25-14.
Against Vincennes, Ellie Comes (Southview/Sylvania, Ohio) and Emily Crowell (Parkway/Rockford, Ohio) had one ace apiece, while Whitney Hoodlebrink (Eastwood/Pemberville, Ohio) had a team leading nine kills. Erin Schatzle (Monroe/Monroe, Mich.) and Crowell had seven kills apiece. Molly Hilfinger (Anthony Wayne/Whitehouse, Ohio) had 18 assists, while Schatzle had 17. Comes had a team-best 24 digs, while Brittany Egbert (Hopewell-Loudon/Fostoria, Ohio) had 10.
Against Johnson County, Julia Haupricht (Central Catholic/Toledo, Ohio) led the team with four aces, while Crowell and Haupricht had 12 kills each. Schatzle added 10 kills. Hilfinger had a team-best 28 assists, while Schatzle had 18 assists. Comes led with 22 digs, while Schatzle had 12 and Hilfinger had 11.
On Saturday, the Express took down No. 18 Hagerstown in straight sets, 25-13, 25-9, 25-18. Leaders for Owens against Hagerstown were: Haupricht with three aces, Egbert with eight kills, Haupricht and Schatzle with seven kills each, Hilfinger with 24 assists and Schatzle with 11 assists, and Comes with 13 digs.
In the nightcap on Saturday, the Express defeated No. 8 Kishwaukee in a thrilling five set match, 20-25, 25-14, 25-22, 20-25, 15-12. Schatzle led the Express in aces and kills with two and 11, respectively, while Egbert also had 11 kills. Hilfinger had a team best 25 assists, while Schatzle had 20 assists. Comes, once again, led in digs with 37 while Schatzle had 19.
On Sunday, Owens upset No. 6 Illinois Central 25-14, 25-18, 20-25, 25-16 and swept McHenry 25-18, 25-16, 25-17 to finish 6-0 for the weekend.
Against Illinois Central, Schatzle found herself all over the stat sheet. The sophomore setter had three aces, 10 kills, 18 assists and nine digs. Haupricht had 12 kills, two solo blocks and four assisted blocks. Egbert had five aces, 10 kills and two solo blocks. Hilfinger had 18 assists, while Comes had 28 digs.
Against McHenry, Comes had 18 digs and four aces, Hilfinger had 20 assists, Schatzle had eight kills, Crowell had seven kills, and Egbert had six kills.
The Express (12-1) will travel to Elyria, Ohio on Wednesday for a 6 p.m. matchup against Lorain County C.C.