Sean Williams/MDN The Our Redeemer’s Knights celebrate on the court as the team swept the Bishop Ryan Lions on Thursday night in a huge win.

Breaking away from the cooler fall climate are the Our Redeemer’s Knights and Bishop Ryan Lions volleyball teams, who have brought the heat to the court this season.

Entering play on Thursday, the Knights (14-7-1 overall, 2-0 Region 6) and the Lions (12-3-1 overall, 4-0 Region 6) are sitting atop their region and both are coming off sweeps of Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood and Surrey.

On Thursday night, both teams faced each other for the first time this year, in what was a must-see matchup throughout the area. With success being a common theme for both teams, only one of them would be able to walk away with a massive exclamation mark next to their schedule.

In a high-intensity, lively contest, it was the Knights who would get the big win, as they took down the Lions in three sets for a sweep (25-18, 25-20, 25-18).

If the opening set was any indication of how the rest of the game would go, the fans were in for a treat. Both teams rallied back-and-forth with the largest lead being just four points heading into the final stretch of set one.

Knights’ libero Olivia Ebel made a handful of phenomenal digs early on and helped set the tone on the offensive attack. The Knights leaned on the powerful punches of Leah Lindquist, Maya Vibeto, and Aubrey Griedl at the net, using their punches to pull away with a 25-18 set one victory.

The Lions put up a battle in the opening set, but ultimately came up short once the Knights were able to establish their offensive game. Still, they showed toughness, and this had a feeling that it was anyone’s game heading into set two.

Following a thrilling opening set, the second set featured a much faster pace for the Knights early on, as they held a 14-6 lead. Mya Borud and her serving ability, paired with well-placed hits by Kiera Biberdorf were vital for the Knights early on, however, the Lions would keep clawing back.

With Sabryn Ronning serving, the Lions were able to trim the Knights lead to five points, at 15-10 as they looked to gain momentum back. Cambrie Johannes joined Ronning by picking up a pair of aces, helping ignite the Lions rally.

Chinelo Udekwe of the Lions was active up front through the first two sets, helping get the ball back for her team and not letting set two completely slip away. The Knights, however, would continue to utilize gut punches at the net, as they took set two despite a late rally, 25-20.

Showing shades of strong serving just like she did in the previous home contest, Allie Francis helped the Knights jump out to a 3-0 lead to open set three. In a thrilling matchup where no lead felt insurmountable, the Lions would once again be on the comeback trail.

With the guidance and communication of Tyanna Weeks, as well as Caina Dauphinais and her timely serves, the Lions would knot things up at 11-11 in set three, as they were wanting to avoid a possible sweep.

Net defense and limiting mistakes were at a premium in this one, which is an aspect the Knights had an advantage in moving into the later half of set three. Just as the Lions climbed back in it, the continued force of Vibeto and her striking ability helped the Knights push closer to a sweep, as they led 19-13.

Heading into the closing points, the Knights had a plan and that was to set their athletes up to finish strongly. They would do just that, taking set three 25-18 in what was a statement win and very impressive sweep of the Lions.

There was a milestone in Thursday night’s contest as well, with Lions senior Magee Rovig reaching her 1500th assist in her career. Congrats to Magee on the milestone and for an outstanding performance on the court.

Allie Francis (4), Mya Borud (3), Leah Lindquist (2), and Maya Vibeto (1) led the Knights in aces, Lindquist (11), Vibeto (8), Kiera Biberdorf (8), Aubrey Griedl (3), and Francis (3) led the way in kills, Francis (29) was the sole leader in assists, Olivia Ebel (23), Vibeto (14), Borud (7), Francis (5), and Biberdorf (5) were the leaders in digs.

For the Lions, Sabryn Ronning (2), Cambrie Johannes (1), and Magee Roving (1) led the way in aces, Chinelo Udekwe (8), Alena Johannsen (4), Ronning (4), Tochi Udekwe (2), and Haley Buck (3) led the way in kills, Tyanna Weeks (20), Roving (9), C. Udekwe (8), Johannsen (8), and T. Udekwe (7) led the charge in digs.