The Newark boys volleyball team enjoyed a milestone day on April 25.
Newark swept both visiting Briggs, 25-12, 25-21, 25-19, and Central Crossing, 25-11, 25-14, 25-13. At seven victories, the Wildcats now have their most in a season since the resumption of the program in 2022 under coach Steven Durr.
“It’s been awesome,” Watson said. “It’s a great group of guys. New people come in every year, and it’s awesome to meet them and see what they can do. This group has blown me away at what they can do and how fast they have gotten acclimated to the game.”
Watson totaled seven kills, 11 assists and five aces in the victory against Briggs. Miles Drake added seven kills, nine assists and five aces, Dominic Williamson a match-high 11 kills and three blocks and Zalyn Hanzey 11 digs for the Wildcats.
Drake piled up 11 kills, 13 assists and six aces against the Comets. Watson added seven kills and nine assists, Hanzey nine aces and eight digs and Williamson six kills and four blocks.
“(Volleyball) has meant everything. It means everything to me,” said Watson, who has signed to play collegiately at Rio Grande. “I started sophomore year, and I have loved the sport. Every day, I keep working to get better.”
TRACK
Valley boys take runner-up
The Licking Valley boys won three events, propelling the Panthers to a runner-up team finish during the Leo Gundy Invitational at New Philadelphia. The Panthers totaled 74 points, finishing just ahead of Rittman’s 70 and behind the host Quakers’ 182.
Liam Zellner crossed in a time of 52.10 seconds to win the 400-meter dash, and he also joined Lincoln Clements, Brady Croak and Silas Kyle on the winning 1,600 relay (3:31.48).
Wyatt Merchant, Johnathon White, Eli Busic and Landon Thompson added a win in the 3,200 relay (8:42.55). Croak, Clements, Levi Lewis and Conner Keeley took runner-up in the 400 relay (45.14) as did Hunter White in the shot put (45 feet, 7 inches).
In the girls meet, Valley’s Allison Osborn won the discus (119-2).
BASEBALL
GCA wins at home
Matthew Riedel and Josh Benvie each doubled and singled and combined for a run and an RBI, leading Granville Christian to a 6-4 victory against visiting East Knox.
Riedel also struck out three and allowed one hit and one unearned run in two innings of relief after Aiden Geiger allowed three runs in the first five for the Lions (5-7). Samuel Merritt and Jordan Stump added a hit, a run and an RBI apiece and Layton Sheppard a double and a run.
Lakewood wins at West
Landen Maynard struck out three in three hitless innings of scoreless relief, pitching Lakewood to an 8-3 victory at West Muskingum.
Jalen White led the Lancers (4-9) with three hits, including a double, and two runs. Tegan Riley added two hits, two runs and an RBI, Evan Moore a double, two runs and an RBI and Garrett Hardway a hit, a run and an RBI.
Watkins wins late
Jax Dotson’s infield hit scored Ben Coffman with the go-ahead run in the top of the seventh inning, lifting Watkins Memorial to a 4-3 victory at St. Charles.
Dotson also doubled as a part of a three-hit day, and Patrick Shroyer added two hits, including a triple, a run and an RBI and Cody York a double and an RBI for the Warriors (9-5). Dom Yosick struck out two and scattered five hits in a complete game.
Newark drops road game
Cale Saunders struck out nine and allowed seven hits and four runs for Newark in a 4-2 loss at Delaware.
Moses Crane doubled twice, scored a run and drove in one to lead the Wildcats (11-2). Brody Randall added a hit and an RBI and Trenton Wilson a triple.
Heath falls in seventh
John Glenn scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, sending visiting Heath to a 7-6 loss.
Trevor Enders led the Bulldogs (9-5) with three hits, including a double, and two runs. Quentin Sunkle added two hits, a run and an RBI, Jamison Walsh two hits and a run and Camden Stephens a triple, a run and two RBIs.
Liberty falls late
Visiting Northside Christian scored six runs in the top of the seventh inning, handing Liberty Christian an 8-4 loss in Mid-Ohio Christian Athletic League play.
Seth Mollohan struck out three and allowed four hits and two unearned runs in five innings for the Eagles (3-5, 2-3). Jackson Cecil led the offense with a hit, two runs and an RBI, and Caiden Saunders added a double and an RBI and Drew Fye a hit and an RBI.
Johnstown drops road game
Luke Carter doubled for Johnstown (6-7), which was held to five hits, in a 4-0 loss at Fredericktown.
SOFTBALL
Heath nipped in seventh
Visiting DeSales scored six runs in the top of the sixth inning and four in the seventh, stunning Heath as the Bulldogs fell 15-14.
Andrew Chaney homered and doubled and racked up five RBIs for the Bulldogs (2-12). Destini Rogers also homered, and Lexi Purington added two hits, a run and three RBIs, Kate Zarins two hits and an RBI and Natalie Blakely a hit and three runs.
BOYS TENNIS
Watkins blanks Gahanna
Watkins Memorial did not drop a set April 24 in a 5-0 victory against Gahanna.
Singles winners were Matthew Reid, 6-2, 6-3, Graham Smith, 6-0, 6-1, and Wyatt Meade, 6-1, 6-1, for the Warriors (9-3). Doubles winners were Gavin Adelman and Nathan Walter, 6-3, 6-0, and Nic Garabrandt and Jeffrey Smith, 6-1, 6-0.
This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Roundup: Newark boys volleyball sweeps two opponents
Reporting by Kurt Snyder, Newark Advocate / Newark Advocate
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
