The Paden City Lady Wildcats earned their first OVAC Class-A Volleyball Championship in six years by sweeping Weirton Madonna, 25-14 and 25-18 at Brooke High School Oct. 15.

After coming up a little short in the OVAC tournament the last few years, PCHS Head Coach Fred King was happy to see his girls get over the hump and bring home the Class-A crown. “They are a super bunch of fine young ladies,” said King. “If you were watching their intensity and the hustle and the togetherness … this team is not good by itself. It’s only as good because of the players. I guess we have the right combination.”

Both Madonna and Paden City battled to a 6-6 deadlock in the first set in a best-of-three match, before the Lady Wildcats went on an 11-4 scoring frenzy and never looked back. In the second set, the momentum pushed the Lady ‘Cats on top 13-3 to gain the nod.

Lynnsie Parsons scored 14 points, while adding five kills and four digs to lead the OVAC champions. PCHS freshman Graeson Baker added 10 points, including four service aces, while another freshman, Haley Hizer, tacked on 10 markers.

The Wildcats’ two lone seniors, Amanda Heasley and Dominique Craft, teamed for 14 points, 20 kills, two blocks, and 17 digs for an outstanding tournament championship match.

In addition, junior setter Logan Cosper scored two points, 20 assists, and four digs, while junior Kelsey Loy dropped in one kill and sophomore Josie Fox added a dig.

In the earlier semi round, the Lady ‘Cats had to take care of Morgantown Trinity and did so, winning in two sets, 25-11 and 26-24. Underclassmen Hizer and Baker led the way with a 14-points and 11-points, respectively. Craft followed with nine points, nine kills, and 12 digs, while Parsons and Heasley each netted six-points.

In addition, Cosper added five points, five digs, and 16 assists, while Loy smacked a pair of kills and a dig. Fox contributed a pair of digs.

“You don’t get here unless they are there,” said King, pointing to the large Paden City crowd that made the trip to Brooke High School. “There is no magic to it, no coaching genius. It’s players that love to be here.”

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In a tune up for the OVAC Class-A Championships, the Paden City Lady Wildcats took care of Clay-Battelle and Preston County inside Bob Burton Gymnasium Oct. 12.

Against Clay-Battelle, the Lady ‘Cats fed off Amanda Heasley and Greason Baker’s 26 points and 10 digs to blast the Cee-Bees in straight sets, 25-14 and 25-15. Hilary Hizer and Dominique Craft each tallied seven points, while Craft made the Cee-Bees gun-shy with a game-high 11 kills and six digs.

In addition, Lynnsie Parsons contributed six points and three kills, while Josie Fox added three digs. Paden City setter Logan Cosper scored three points, seven digs, and added a game-high 54 assists.

The Lady Wildcats cooled off in the first set against Preston County, losing 9-25, before sharpening their claws to win the next pair of sets, 25-18 and 25-10 to claim the match.

Cosper added 64 assists, while scoring five points and three digs to help the Lady ‘Cats upend the Lady Knights. Baker, Heasley, and Parsons teamed for 37 points, while Hizer, Craft, and Hannah Stanley combined for 19 points. Craft laid to rest a game-high 15 kills, while Baker and Hizer each added a game-high nine digs. Pasons contributed seven kills and three digs, while Heasley tacked on eight digs and three kills.