ANSONIA — The Franklin Monroe Lady Jets defeated the host Ansonia Lady Tigers 3-1 in Western Ohio Athletic Conference volleyball action.
Franklin Monroe won by scores of 25-15, 20-25, 25-10 and 25-20.
“I am very proud of them,” Franklin Monroe coach Ashley Day said. “They worked hard yesterday at practice. We were focused. We were locked in for today’s match.”
The Lady Jets controlled the opening set and pulled away for a 25-15 victory.
Ansonia responded by building an early 7-1 advantage in the second set. Franklin Monroe rallied to tie the score at 20, but the Lady Tigers scored the final five points to win 25-20 and even the match at one set apiece.
Day challenged her players to respond after dropping the second set.
“I told them to dig deep, find it and fight,” Day said.
Franklin Monroe regained control in the third set. The Lady Jets held a 10-7 advantage before outscoring Ansonia 15-3 to earn a commanding 25-10 victory.
The fourth set remained close through the early stages. Ansonia held leads of 12-11 and 13-12, while the teams were tied at 11, 12, 13 and 14 before Franklin Monroe pulled away for a 25-20 win.
Day credited Brinley Flora with giving the Lady Jets a combination of intelligent and aggressive play at the net.
“Brinley Flora was a big asset to us tonight,” Day said. “She was placing the ball. She was being smart and being aggressive at the same time.”
Reagan Flora contributed with her defense and serving.
“She is one of my most solid girls in the back row,” Day said. “I trust her completely. She’s always there getting the ball.”
The victory gave the Lady Jets an encouraging start against an Ansonia team that defeated them in three sets during their first meeting last season.
“That’s a huge confidence booster for us because last year we lost to them in three the first match,” Day said. “Coming out and beating them in four tonight was a huge confidence boost.”
