For The Dialog
CLAYMONT – Archmere celebrated homecoming in style, sweeping rival Ursuline to remain undefeated in volleyball in front of a packed house at Moglia Fieldhouse on Oct. 7. The second-ranked Auks won by scores of 25-11, 25-18 and 25-21.
The Auks and No. 4 Raiders went toe to toe early, as the first set was tied five times, including at 7 after a kill by Ursuline’s Cassidy Markell. Archmere then went on a three-point run, capped off by a Kaylie Leclerc ace. Archmere started pulling away, getting two kills apiece from Julia Kochie and Lexi Kelly. The Auks closed the set on a 15-4 run, ended by a Nicole Kelly kill.
Ursuline jumped to an early 6-1 lead in the second behind strong defense from Sam Davis and Taylor Wright, and three kills by Corrine Furey. Archmere responded with a 6-0 run as Kochie had two aces, then a kill to end it.
The home team took the lead in the third, as its blocking game, led by Amy Thomson and Lexi Kelly, was superb. Ursuline did not go down without a fight, fighting off three match points before Nicole Kelly finished the contest with a powerful kill.
Archmere (9-0) was led by Lexi Kelly with nine kills, and Kochie had eight. The Auks travel to St. Elizabeth on Tuesday at 6:15 for the annual Serve for the Cure match. Admission is the purchase of a pink t-shirt at the door. Furey led the Raiders (7-2) with 12 kills; Wright had nine kills and 20 digs. Davis led the Raiders with 22 digs. They play at Newark Charter Tuesday at 6:45 p.m.
