Perrysburg senior Avery Adams returns a serve during the second set of a match against Anthony Wayne Wednesday at Perrysburg High School. Visit www.sent-trib.com to view a photo gallery.
Scott W. Grau | Sentinel-Tribune
PERRYSBURG — Senior setter and defensive specialist Giana Frayer relishes her role as the “quarterback” of the Perrysburg volleyball team.
Frayer got her 2,000th career assist on just the sixth point of the match in leading Perrysburg to 25-15, 25-18, 25-17 sweep over Northern Lakes League foe Anthony Wayne on Tuesday.
“She’s truly been a quarterback for us as a setter. So, 2,000 sets for her career tonight, and she’s very proud of that and so are we,” said Perrysburg coach Laura Davidson.
Perrysburg (14-6 overall, 10-2 NLL) could win a share of the NLL title if they can beat Sylvania Northview (17-3, 12-1) Thursday on the Yellow Jackets’ home court, with varsity scheduled for 6:45 p.m.
Davidson says her girls are ready to go, despite losing to the Wildcats in four sets on the Wildcats’ floor on Sept. 20.
“I think they are in for the fight. We are honestly getting better and better,” Davidson said. “Our starting rotation is building on itself every game. I feel like we are in a different position than we were six games ago.”
There were hopes that Perrysburg could be playing for an outright title, but Northview swept Springfield (16-5, 10-3) last week, 25-20, 25-23, 25-17.
It was Springfield who handed Northview their only league loss, taking the Wildcats in three sets on Sept. 15.
“So basically, Thursday, it comes down to win for a share, and if not, Northview takes it,” Davidson said.
Frayer, a 5-foot-7 third-year varsity starter who plans to play collegiately, leads the team in assists (31.9 per match) and serving aces (2.9). Tuesday, she also had two aces and three blocks.
She takes her role running the offense seriously.
“Basically, being a setter on a volleyball team is like being the quarterback on a football team,” Frayer said. “You must run the offense and you also must pay attention to the defense.
“You must pay attention to the other side at the same time, so it is a lot of juggling — a mental game. It is extremely important for you to stay mentally tough the whole time.”
Frayer says that means when you make a mistake, learn from it, and move on with a clear head.
“Our biggest thing this season that we’ve been trying to focus on, especially with me, is learning from my mistakes right away because you can’t do it all or you’ll start to do bad. So, I’ve just been letting it go,” Frayer said.
In the three-set win over AW, the Yellow Jackets never trailed, although the Generals managed to tie once at 5-5 in the second set. In the third set, Perrysburg opened an 11-2 lead and cruised.
Perrysburg senior outside hitter Sara Pahl had 10 kills and six aces, freshman setter Katie Pahl had nine kills and two blocks, and senior outside hitter Josie Hubbard had eight kills and three aces.
Junior middle blocker Wrigley Takats had six kills and eight blocks and senior hitter Danielle Cleavenger had five kills.
Davidson said Takats could set a school record in blocks before the season is over, and the Perrysburg coach has a couple other players who could reach the all-time record in aces.
Defensively, 5-7 senior libero Avery Adamski had already established several school records as a junior and she leads the team again this year in digs (16.1 per match) and serve receptions (18.2).
For a young AW team Tuesday, two freshmen outside hitters, Kenzie Butler and Mallory Pike, led with nine and eight kills, respectively. Freshman Leah Pike had two blocks and senior Ava Horn had three aces.
