Down two games to none in their girl’s volleyball match at Gates Chili, Churchville-Chili rallied to win the final three and take the match 21-25, 17-25, 25-10, 25-18, 25-19.
The Saints struggled to earn points with their offense in the first game with only six kills, but were still in it tied 15-15 before a late 5-0 run by the Spartans put the game out of reach.
The Saints led game two by as many as four points at 13-9 led by three kills and two blocks by junior Emmalene Draper, but Gates Chili went on a 10-0 run to again seal the victory.
Churchville-Chili left no doubt in the third game as they ran out to a 9-1 lead led by a pair of kills from Madison Elam, a kill by Emily Kuhlkin, a block by Sydnie Brown and an ace from Chiara Rota.
Rachel Chapman registered consecutive kills to make it 11-3, Draper and Elam each added a kill and a block to extend the lead to 21-8 and Brown finished it off with a pair of kills.
The Saints had only seven kills by four different players in the fourth game with two aces while taking advantage of multiple Spartan miscues to force a fifth and deciding game.
Tied 9-9, Churchville-Chili received consecutive aces by Rota and another from Jenna Prewasnicak, a block by Elam and kills from Kuhlkin, Chapman and Draper to build an 18-13 lead. Gates Chili rallied to close to within two at 18-16, but kills from Chapman and Avery Elam and two aces by Draper completed the comeback.
Chapman led all Saints with 12 kills while Madison Elam registered seven kills, 11 assists and 12 digs. Draper led with five blocks to go with her six kills and three aces, Rota had six aces with four digs, Prewasnicak four aces with 21 assists and Isabella Orologio led with 18 digs.
The Saints, with one match remaining, were hoping for a first round bye in next week’s Section V playoffs and looking at either a four or five seed.
