Putnam, Warriors expel Unioto in pivotal SVC match

• Adena took down Unioto, Tuesday night, in four sets; 25-16, 25-19, 21-25 and 28-26.
• Devon Putnam led the Warriors with 26 kills, 32 digs and four aces.

FRANKFORT — Time and time again, Adena leaned on Devon Putnam. And time and time again, the junior outside hitter answered the call.

Putnam served as the Warriors spark plug, Tuesday night at Adena High School, in a four-set win over Unioto — 25-16, 25-19, 21-25 and 28-26 — at a pivotal point within the Scioto Valley Conference title race.

"Tonight was definitely the best game I've played this year," Putnam said. "I was just relaxed and focused because I know that (Unioto) wanted to beat us. So that fired me up. But we just have to go out and play harder, with everyone on the same page, from here on out. We just need to keep focusing and play how we know how to play."

As the final set scores may suggest, Unioto didn't make it an easy win by any means.

"(Unioto's) hitters, their middles, do a nice job too," Adena coach Laura Smith said. "And their defense was keeping balls alive, and we were too. That's what makes it so exciting. You have those long rallies and it's good for both teams because you have to keep your focus."

Thanks to a heavy dose of Putnam and sophomore Kelsie Bossert — a trend that stayed true throughout the match — the Warriors (17-2, 11-0 SVC) jumped out to an 8-3 lead in the first set. That edge would swell to counts of 13-8, 18-9 and 21-11 before Adena eventually took a 1-0 lead in the match, 25-16.

In the second, the Shermans (16-3, 8-3 SVC) held a 14-13 advantage and seemed to have more intensity, energy and urgency. However, with Unioto leading 19-15, Bossert had seen enough. From the serving line, she ripped off a 10-0 run, ending the set at 25-19 and giving the Warriors their second win in as many tries within the match.

In the third, Unioto stayed on its upward trend. Senior Kassidey Winegardner and freshman Amanda McGlone powered the Tanks to a 14-9 lead before Adena put together a 5-0 run to tie the game. However this time, Unioto had an answer as the Shermans took leads of 18-15 and 22-20 before cutting the match deficit to 2-1 with a 25-21 victory.

In the fourth and final go-around, the Warriors kept a slim lead for the majority of the set. But after leading 21-19, Unioto made it 22-22 with its hopes of winning the match and a second straight conference title looking dire.

But from that point on, there was simply too much Putnam for the Tanks' defense to handle.

Putnam ended the night just how she started it — with a kill — sealing the four-set win.

"It was a nice serving run from Kelsie in the second set to keep us in there," Smith said. "She just kept her focus and got her serves in play and that's what we were looking for. This was a nice win. But we've got to keep our focus. We're a young team as far as age goes and we have to keep that in mind all of the time. But they have all of the heart in the world. They're aggressive and they give their all but they have to keep their mental focus."

Leading the Shermans' attack was McGlone, who registered 14 kills and two blocks while Winegardner posted seven kills and 34 digs. Ashley Taylor also chipped in with 10 kills while Madi Eberst dished out 43 assists and logged 35 digs.

Putnam finished with 26 kills, 32 digs and four aces. Bossert followed with six kills, 16 digs and two service aces. Also appearing on that stat sheet was Carissa Poehler with 10 kills as well as Carly Carroll, who finished with 36 digs.

"We'll have to go back to work tomorrow and fix some things while maintaining some others so we can ready to go for Thursday," Smith said.

Unioto will now host Paint Valley on Thursday, while Adena travels to Zane Trace. With a win, the Warriors would clinch at least a share of the conference title.

dwebb@chillicothegazette.com

Twitter: @dw1509