Holmes sets Heath volleyball on path past Utica

HEATH — With all-around skills on the volleyball court, it is rare Taliyah Holmes comes off the court.

A quick break Thursday, however, did the Heath senior a world of good. The standout senior helped spark the Bulldogs to victory against visiting Utica, 25-23, 24-26, 25-18, 25-22, in Licking County League-Cardinal Division play.

"They just needed to pull me out, and we needed to change, but I was able to get back right in there," Holmes said. "I was always a kid that was like, 'Why are doing this?' I understand now, and it's just part of the game."

Heath, the last Licking County League team to open its regular season, could not be tighter the first two sets with Utica. The final two points went the Bulldogs’ way the first set and the final four Utica’s way the second.

After Heath (1-0, 1-0) dominated the third set, Utica (1-2, 1-1) appeared on the verge of returning the favor in the fourth, but the Bulldogs did not want to take any chances in a fifth. Heath rallied from a 17-8 deficit and scored the final five points to close out the match

"We have just been waiting for this moment, and we knew we had to execute and just get it done," Holmes said. "It fueled everything."

Heath senior Sydney Chapman had four kills and an ace in the first set. Utica junior Emilee Ellis answered with three kills, but two unforced errors for Utica gave Heath the set.

Three early kills for senior Renae Cunningham helped send Heath to an early 13-5 lead in the second set, but Utica came charging back. Ellis and senior Abby Buchanan combined for a key block, and junior Emma Kimpel had three late kills, including the final point, which came standing from the back row.

"The girls played pretty consistent and have made big strides from the first match to this third one," Utica coach Lisa Ritzer said. "We really only have three girls that have played much varsity at all. When you graduate seven seniors, you are filling a lot of holes."

Holmes had two aces in the third set, but sophomore Kyndall Spicer stepped into the spotlight for Heath. She had three key kills midway through the set to help the Bulldogs break it open, and senior Hanna Clark had a tip late.

It was sophomore Kinley Kaminsky's turn in the fourth set. She had a kill during the Bulldogs' late rally, and she teamed with Spicer on a block to help kill Utica's will.

"It helps because I don't have to rely on certain people," said Holmes, who had 18 assists. Sophomore Ysabel Barcelona added 14. "I always know in my back pocket they are always there for me."

Kimpel served three aces as Utica opened that fourth set with six consecutive points, and senior Carlie Parsons also had back-to-back aces early in the set. That duo combined for 10 of Utica's 14 aces, but the team also had nine errors, riding a fine line.

"We are not a big team, so we have to use what we have," Ritzer said. "We have to serve aggressive and pick balls up because we aren't going to get a lot of big blocks."

Parsons totaled a team-high seven kills with Kimpel and Ellis adding five apiece. Ellis and sophomore Alexa Gosnell each had 11 assists, and Kimpel made 16 digs.

Heath had its share of tenuous moments, but the Bulldogs could take a deep breath following the final point. Saturday's trip to Lancaster's Shaner-Wohrer Memorial will be an early measuring stick.

Spicer totaled 16 kills and Chapman 14 to lead offense. Junior Caroline Robertson made 14 digs.

"There was a stretch, which we've talked about, we cannot give three or four points back to back. It has to be point for point," Heath coach Shela Croom said. "It was good to have an opener with a "1" in the win column. We were ready to play."

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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Taliyah Holmes sets Heath volleyball on path past Utica