Huron dominates Willard in early conference test

HURON — Huron expected a tough match from Willard, and the Crimson Flashes had reason to believe they could challenge the Tigers. Didn't happen. Huron got off to a strong start thanks to some Crimson Flashes errors and cruised to a 25-18, 25-11, 25-13 sweep in an early-season SBC Bay Division volleyball matchup. "We just really didn't even show up today," Willard coach Ashley Bond said. "It was like a whole different team. I literally have no words. I don't even know how to describe what we did. We didn't show up and I guess we'll learn from it." Huron improved to 5-0 overall and 2-0 in the Bay with the sweep on a warm night in the Tigers' gym. "We're used to playing in the heat," Huron senior Casey Brown said. "We hydrated all week and we were excited to play tonight. We just wanted to have consistent energy all the way through. We've been pushing ourselves." Willard, which has played a challenging schedule this season, fell to 7-3, 1-1. "I know they're a lot better," Huron coach Don Wood said. "Everybody's gonna have rough night. I thought our kids did a good job staying steady. We took good swings when we needed to and kept it in play other times. "It's definitely a solid win for us. Willard was off to a great start and they're a good team." Willard pushed Huron last year, dropping a pair of 25-20 sets in a sweep, and had some quality firepower returning. But Huron countered with depth (seven different Tigers had kills) and ball control to extend points when kills didn't present themselves early. "It can frustrate other teams once in awhile," Wood said of Huron's penchant for playing the long game. "I preach to my kids to be patient when you don't have the big swing. That pays off because I have confidence in our back row." Brown led the Tigers with 11 kills and nine digs. Springy junior middle Azure Waldock added eight kills and three blocks. Senior setter Tess Humphrey recorded 31 assists and two aces and senior Lanee Orzech had four aces and nine digs. Senior libero Kendall Camp had 10 digs. Huron jumped out to a 10-3 lead in the first set, scoring eight points on Willard errors. Willard fought back and got to within three points at 16-13, but the Tigers pulled away. Kaylee Parker's left-side kill ended the first set. In Set 2, Huron led 9-8 before dominating. An Orzech ace doubled up Willard at 20-10 and Huron won nine of the last 10 points. "We had looks on our faces like we were beat before we stepped on the court," Bond said. "Part of it probably is we don't practice in heat and it's very hot in here. They're used to that, but we're not going to use that as an excuse. "We're so much better than we showed tonight. The good news for us is they think we're awful. We showed them nothing." Kelsey Lykins led the Flashes with seven kills. Makinley Schaffer added five. Huron led 10-3 and 15-5 on a Parker kill to take control in the final set. Addie Foster's kill made it 22-13, a Humphrey ace delivered Huron's 23rd point of the set and Cami Adams' kill ended the match. Up next for the Tigers is the tough Gilmour Academy Invitational on Saturday. The Tigers open up with Division I Olentangy Orange. Magnificat and Brunswick are also on Huron's side of the bracket. Gilmour Academy, Lake Catholic, Holy Name and Kenston round out the tourney field. "We have a long way to go. We're getting better," Wood said. "We've taken basically a step up in competition every match. "We've got our work cut out for us (Saturday). That's good, though. As long as go and compete I'm alright."