By Steve Fields
COVINGTON — The Rockville Rox are going back to the Class A volleyball regional as sectional champions for the second year in a row.
The Rox overpowered Attica 3-0 on Saturday night in the Class A sectional championship game at Covington High School.
“We worked really hard for this. We had two-a-day practices in the summer and pushed ourselves to this [championship],” Rockville senior Ashley Stevens said after contributing four aces, two kills, a block and eight digs to the championship effort.
Rockville (25-4) plays the winner of the Tri Sectional in the 11 a.m. opening game of the regional at Wes-Del High School.
“I’m proud of all the girls and they all contributed,” Rockville coach Jennifer Pakiz said.
Rockville beat Attica twice en route to winning the Wabash River Conference championship. Plus, Attica won only four matches this season, one coming in the semifinals on Saturday.
But the Rox took nothing for granted. “[Attica is] a good team. Their record doesn’t reflect it, but they’re scrappy,” Pakiz said.
Attica played Rockville tough the first game, before falling 25-20, 25-8 and 25-20.
Rockville’s offense was clicking. All 33 of Rockville’s assists came from setter Courtney Eldridge.
Attica led game one 20-19 when Rockville’s Eldridge tipped in a kill to tie the score 20-20. Stevens followed with two aces and Beth Mahurin hammered two of her 19 kills to close out the game.
Rockville jumped out to a 5-0 start in game two, getting two kills and a block from Mahurin. From a close 6-5 game, Rockville pulled away to the 25-8 win.
Rockville controlled game three, as well, leading all the way. The Rox led 24-14 when coach Pakiz pulled some of the starters late and that allowed the Red Ramblers to close the final margin.
Rockville 25 25 25
Attica 20 8 20
Highlights — For Rockville, Beth Mahurin led the Rox with 19 kills, four blocks, three service aces and eight digs, followed by Emily Hardman with four kills. Ashley Stevens had two kills, a block, four aces and eight digs. Raeann Sutherlin serviced four aces had two kills and a block. Setter Courtney Eldridge passed out 33 assists and Lindsey Greene had 10 digs. For Attica, Jessica Holtkamp made four kills and served two aces and Markenzie Cooper had three kills and two aces.
Next — Rockville (26-4) plays the winner of the Tri Sectional in the Class A Regional at Wes-Del High School on Saturday. Attica finished the season 4-24.
