Pictured are the Paden City participants of the annual summer spike out. In the front row from left to right is Hallie McDonald, Cora Anderson, Mallory Yeater, Hope Weber, Isabella Beverlin, Alyssa Phillips, and Brandis Dalrymple. In the back row from left to right is Alyssa James, Madi Kline, Kirshana Smith, Haley Walton, Isabella Snider, McKenzie Lewis, Nevaeh Sweeney, Malaree Kline, and Kelsey Michael.

Paden City took it to the next step on Thursday, June 27, defeating AAA Wheeling Park to win the Martins Ferry Summer League Volleyball Championship. The Wildcats earned the number two seed in the tournament after ending the regular season behind undefeated and number one seed Shadyside.

The three-week league had 12 teams participating: Martins Ferry, Harrison Central, Buckeye Local, River 1, River 2, Shadyside, Bellaire, John Marshall, Wheeling Park, Bridgeport, Steubenville Central Catholic, and the Wildcats. The Wildcats only loss during summer league play was a week three split with Harrison Central 23-25 and 25-12.

Going into tournament play Shadyside was 12-0 in set wins, Paden City 11-1, Wheeling Park 8-4, and Harrison Central, Central Catholic, and Buckeye Local all were 7-5. During tournament play on Thursday, Central Catholic defeated Harrison Central then lost to Paden City 25-8, and 25-15. Wheeling Park defeated Buckeye Local then defeated number one seed Shadyside to set up the championship match with the Wildcats.

The Wildcats were on their game and won the tournament over the big school in three sets. The Cat’s made easy work of Park in set one winning 25-7, but the Patriots recovered to win the second set in O.T. 27-25. The final set belonged to the Wildcats as they jumped out to a good lead and stayed the course to claim the title with a 15-9 victory.

“Wheeling Park had some nice big hitters, but we were able to play great defense and put down some big hits of our own. We also continued to have excellent serving. The girls just proved they can play with anyone, they are ready to keep improving and have another great fall season,” said Coach Jennifer Yeater. “The girls have been working hard to improve their game. We are working to find the right core group that works well together with great chemistry. I’m very pleased with how the summer is going and anticipating a great fall season.”

Paden City’s Mallory Yeater

“The summer and off season definitely show who’s disciplined and dedicated to getting better. We have some awesome freshman who will make a name for themselves this fall. Tanley McEldowney and McKenzie Thomas have been working hard and will be a great addition to the line up for us,” added Yeater.

After one day of rest, the Wildcats went back to work on Saturday as they hosted their annual summer spike out. Four teams took part in the tournament with Paden City winning the first match of the day over Valley 25-11 and 25-8. . River then defeated Frontier, 25-22 and 25-11. Paden City defeated Frontier, 25-12 and 25-19. River defeated Valley, 25-14 and 25-9. Paden City and ari River split 25-12 Paden City and 25-19 River. Frontier defeated Valley 25-8 and 25-16 to end pool play. Going into the championship round the Wildcats defeated Valley 25-12 and 25-8. and River knocked out Frontier, in three sets 25-14, 24-26, and 15-12 to set up the Championship match between the Pilots and Wildcats. Paden City claimed its second title in three days as they earned the top spot over the Pilots 25-17 and 25-7.