Rome Middle School Volleyball vs Darlington and Christian Heritage
ROME, GA— Rome Middle School’s volleyball team split two matches on Wednesday, topping Christian Heritage in three sets and falling to Darlington in two sets at Rome Middle School.
The opening match against Christian Heritage provided plenty of drama as the listing Lions took the opening set of the match and took a lead midway through the second set.
Rome gained momentum midway through the second set against Christina Heritage. The Wolves trailing the Lions by one set and trailing in the second set 15-11 caught fire behind phenomenal serving from Keily Padilla.
Padilla took the ball and promptly helped propel the Wolves 10 straight points. Padilla’s serves played a big role as she fired off seven aces during the run. When the Lions managed to return the serve, Rome’s Deriona Watts delivered two kills. When the smoke cleared, the Wolves held a 22-15 lead.
Christian Heritage managed to get a few points back, but Rome closed out the second set 25-18 behind a strong kill from Jerne Winston and two service points from Watts.
The Wolves carried the momentum from the second set over to the third and final set with Watts starting the third set with a kill followed by two more kills from Winston, as the Wolves took an early 3-0 lead.
Rome’s Payton Vicchrilli contributed two aces early on in the set to up Rome’s lead to 8-5. Iona Ollis added one ace midway through the set before the Wolves took command behind two aces from Kaylee Harper and a kill from Winston, capturing the third set and the match 15-10.
In the second match, Darlington jumped on top quick in the opening set and powered through the set with strong serving and striking to grab a 25-7 win. Much like their match against Christian Heritage, Rome caught fire in the opening of the second set and jumped out to a quick lead.
Keily Padilla again proved strong serving as she helped run off five straight service points. During the run, she recorded three aces and Winston recorded a kill as well with Rome grabbing a 7-1 lead. The Tigers responded barring a 9-7 lead. Rome won the serve back and then tied it off an ace from Watts at 9-9, but the Tigers again took control running out to a 23-13 lead. Rome managed to get a kill from Padilla but Darlington closed out the set and the match 25-14.
Overall Rome got strong play from Keily Padilla who recorded 11 aces and two kills in the matches. Watts added five kills and an ace while Winston added four kills. Delilah Padilla played a strong support with numerous digs during both matches.
The squad returns to action next week on Thursday, Sept. 15 when they travel to play at Hammond Creek.
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