Sidney players celebrate after a point during a Miami Valley League match against Piqua on Tuesday. It was the senior night for the squad, which improved to 11-8 overall and 11-4 in league play.
Bryant Billing | Sidney Daily News
SIDNEY — The Sidney Yellow Jackets beat rival Piqua 3-0 in straight sets on senior night in Sidney on Tuesday in a Miami Valley League matchup.
“We were without our outside hitter Kalesha Rush so we had to have another player step in,” Yellow Jackets head coach Dexter Tobie said about his team’s depth. “They really took it on and stepped up. It’s something we’ve been striving for the whole season.”
Sidney (11-8, 11-4) took set one 25-23 in a nailbiter, set two 25-15 and set three 25-18.
“I’m really hoping to have her (Rush) back by the end of this week,” Tobie said. “I don’t want to rush her, so it’s one of those things where I’m saving her for tournaments.”
Tobie noted that Rush rolled her ankle last Tuesday in Sidney’s 3-0 victory over West Carrollton.
“Our bench, they were very excited tonight, they’re happy for everyone that’s out on the court,” Tobie said of his team’s reliance on one another. “Trusting each other and knowing they’ve got each other’s back means they can battle back when we’re down.”
The Yellow Jackets scored the last two points in the first set and started set three down 4-0.
“A lot of games last year, we were in that situation,” Tobie said about battling from behind. “We were in tight spots, but we were able to push through them.
“I think our mentality is shifting a little bit towards the thought that it’s okay to be down, we just have to eliminate mistakes in those times. I think we did a good job of that tonight.”
Sidney had already clinched the MVL Valley Division as it entered Tuesday’s contest with a five-game lead over second place Fairborn giving it its third consecutive Valley Division title.
The Yellow Jackets are back in action on Thursday when they travel to Butler High School to take on the Aviators who are second in the Miami Division.
Reach assistant editor/sports writer Ryan Harless at 937-538-4651 or follow @RyanHarless_ on X (formerly Twitter).
