MORAVIA - Jen Cornwell demonstrated her leadership as she took control of the second set for the Moravia volleyball team as it won 3-0 over Union Springs, Thursday.

Cornwell had four of her eight aces in the second game as the Blue Devils won by scores of 25-8, 25-22 and 25-16. She also had 10 kills and an assist.

“She is a great leader,” Blue Devils' coach Kari Huber said. “She keeps the girls up and well. She performs extremely well for us.”

Jess Kehoe had seven assists and two aces, while Brandi O'Hara finished with eight assists, two aces and a kill for the Blue Devils (4-9). Deanna Drake aced a serve and had five kills.

“I was very pleased with the great attitudes the girls showed today,” Huber said. “They played well.”

Despite the Blue Devils' win, the Wolves battled. In the second set, the score was tied at 22, but that's when the Blue Devils took over as they scored the last three points off of Gabe Chiddy's serves.

“They worked together as a team,” Huber said. “They communicated extremely well.”

Union Springs tried to get back into the third set as they battled down six to make it a two-point game, but that's when the Blue Devils took over again.

The Wolves were led by Carli Jakaub with four service points, an ace, four kills and a block, while Stephanie Quill had two assists, two kills and four blocks. Susan Nanna finished with two aces, two service points and two assists. Hannah Moniz compiled three aces, four service points, three kills and a dig.

“We played great tonight,” Wolves coach Stephanie Weaver said. “I was very pleased with our performance.”

Wolves were content with their battling after a rough first set.

“I told our girls after the first game,” Weaver said. “I told the team ‘we are a better team than we've played today.' Then they took over from there. I noticed an improvement in their play and aggressiveness.”

With such a small roster for Union Springs, everyone has been given their fair share of playing time.

“I just keep telling them not to give up,” she said. “They have to be patient. We may not win a lot this year, but I think next year that patience may pay off.”

Despite being winless on the year, Union Springs has yet to give up hope.

“I just keep telling them ‘find your way,'” Weaver said. “It would help to win down the stretch and carry the momentum into next year.”

A problem for the Wolves this year is they have been unable to carry momentum throughout the game.

“We get so close,” Weaver said. “Yet we are unable to finish it off. They have started to play together and are starting to take form. We struggled with our serving today, but made adjustments. We are so close.”

Unlike the Wolves, Moravia has four seniors, but Huber isn't worried at all about losing their team next year.

“I think our junior varsity team has some girls that can step up,” she said. “I am confident we will have a good mix next year.”

Moravia's next task is in the Dryden Tournament, Saturday.

“I like tournaments because it gives you the chance to play together and communicate as a team,” Huber said.

“Then it doesn't count on your record.”

Union Springs hosts South Seneca, today.

Blue Devils 3

Wolves 0