The Mt. Zion Braves earned a straight-set victory over the Mattoon Green Wave, winning the opening set 25–17 before closing out the match with a 25–18 victory in the second.
Kendall Smith led the Braves’ offense with 10 kills, while Gabby Wisher added six kills and one block. Their combined 16 kills helped power Mt. Zion to the 2–0 sweep, with additional contributions from Avelyn Ethell and Catelyn Crafton on defense.
Mt. Zion secured the first set by an eight-point margin, putting the Braves one set away from the victory. Mattoon needed to take the second to extend the match, but Mt. Zion followed its opening-set result with another winning effort.
The Green Wave finished with one more point in the second set than in the first, but the Braves again reached 25, sealing the match with a seven-point margin. The 25–17, 25–18 results gave Mt. Zion two clear set victories.
Smith, a senior, provided the Braves’ highest listed kill total with 10. Wisher, a junior, complemented that production with six kills of her own while also recording a block at the net.
Ethell contributed in multiple areas, finishing with two service aces and five digs. The senior’s aces added points directly from the service line, while her defensive work helped keep rallies alive.
Crafton, also a senior, recorded four digs to support the Braves’ back-row effort. Together, Ethell and Crafton accounted for nine digs, adding defensive contributions alongside Smith and Wisher’s offensive production.
Mt. Zion finished the evening with a sweep built on contributions at the net, from the service line and in the back row, defeating Mattoon in two sets.
