New Lex Volleyball Halts Adena Bid for Return To Final Four
Article Presented By Pike County Career & Technology Center…
The (25-2) Adena Warriors have been denied a return to the OHSAA Volleyball Final Four after a 2024 tournament run, falling to New Lexington (25-14, 25-12, 16-25, 25-21) in the Division 5 Regional Championship Saturday evening at Logan High School. The (25-2) Panthers advance to the state tournament for the first time in school history.
New Lex made it look easy in the first two sets, dusting the Warriors 25-14, 25-12 thanks to dominate net play and tough serving that eventually saw the Panthers serve 12 aces for the match.
The Warriors shook the rust off in Set 3, taking control early with a 6-0 start and built that lead up to 15-3 and later 20-6. Adena pushed on further with a strong attack from Katie Burns and sensational back row play from Kimmy Dalton, Jacey Smith, and Kortney Sowers to keep numerous rallies alive. The Panthers would later cut into the deficit, getting within 23-16 before the Warriors closed it out at 25-16.
Scoring in Set 4 went back and forth most of the way and saw New Lex up 21-19, when the Warriors battled back to 21-21. The next four point rallies saw Adena unable to get an effective attack which allowed the Panthers to close out the set on a 4-0 run for the 25-21 match victory.
6’3 sophomore Ava Snedeker led the balanced offensive charge for New Lexington with 13 kills and 4 blocks. 5’10 senior Lena Finck drilled 11 kills and also added 4 blocks, while 5’8 senior Chloe Dick added 8 kills, senior setter Jorja Burkhart added 5 kills as did Layla Baker. Caroline Dupler had 3 kills.
Adena was led by 5’10 senior Katie Burns with 18 kills and 15 digs to go along with 2 blocks. Sophomore Jacey Jones crushed 8 kills, Caroline Glandon had 3 kills and 5 blocks, Peytyn Lemaster 2 kills and 1 kill each from Jacey Smith and Adyson Wisecup. Smith also had 15 digs, Kimmy Dalton 13, Kortney Sowers 13, Allie Bossert 7 digs, Wisecup 4, and Glandon with 4, and Ava Ferrell with 2 digs.
The Warriors close their season as SVC Gold Ball Champ for the second straight season, along with Regional Runner-Up for a 19th time in school history. Adena graduates four seniors in Katie Burns, Adyson Wisecup, Jacey Smith, and Caroline Glandon.
The 2025 season also sees Adena Coach Laura Smith tied with East Liverpool’s Dan McKinstry for the all-time career wins record for Ohio High School Volleyball at 864 victories. Smith collected #864 in their Thursday regional semi win vs Union Local. Both coaches plan to remain active for next season.
