SERVING IT UP — Toronto’s Emma Parello delivers a serve against Catholic Central on Wednesday. - Aaron Petchal

STEUBENVILLE — The Toronto volleyball team pulled away from Catholic Central.

The Crusaders hung around in all three games before the Red Knights recorded runs to pull away in all three en route to sweeping the match, 25-14, 25-14, 25-18, Wednesday night inside the Mickey Barber Gymnasium.

“We came out with a lot of energy and enthusiasm,” first-year Toronto (6-7) head coach Shannon Bahen said. “We mixed the ball around. We were aggressive when we had the ball on our side of the court. This win was big for us. We have been a bit of a slide. We have had some bad luck. It is nice to get a win tonight against a rival.”

The Blue and Gold battled, but the girls from the Gem City were too tough down the stretch in all three games.

“We just have to clean up some stuff,” first-year Catholic Central (0-12) head coach Kaylan Cochran said. “It is just matter of us executing our skills.”

The victory enabled the Red and White to sweep the season from their Jefferson County rivals.

“Catholic Central has improved a lot,” Bahen said. “They are working hard. They got a lot more touches, and they were a lot more aggressive. They got a lot of digs. Give credit to Catholic Central. They played hard.”

The Red Knights swept the Crusaders in the season opener Aug. 15 inside the George J. Kunzler Memorial Gymnasium.

“We were more prepared this time,” Cochran said. “We had a lot more time. The girls have gotten better at playing their positions. They know what they are doing. They have played a lot of volleyball. There is a lot of movement. We have stuff we have to clean up.”

For Toronto, Jayna Reeves recorded 11 kills, one block and 10 points, Chloe Fisher collected six kills, four blocks and one assist and Gracee Rex produced two kills, 15 digs and five aces. Also, Danille Sutherin delivered nine assists and 10 points, Kylie Mitchell tallied 11 kills and four blocks and JJ Rebich contributed 19 assists and four points. Next, Jaylee Brown ended up with seven digs and five points, Brynn Donnelly added five digs and six points and Sydney Fisher finished with three kills. Finally, Emma Parello picked up two kills.

The visitors took an 18-13 lead in the first game forcing Cochran to call a timeout. The hosts were unable to turn the tide as the girls in red recorded seven of the final eight points of Game 1 to win the game by 11 to take a 1-0 lead in the match.

The second game was close at the start before Toronto took a 12-9 lead resulting in Cochran calling a timeout. The Red Knights increased their advantage to 21-14 resulting in another Catholic Central timeout. The victors kept the momentum on their side as they won their second straight game by 11 points to take a 2-0 lead.

Toronto trailed in Game 3, but the Red Knights went on a run behind the serving of Sutherin as they were able to take a 12-8 lead. The lead grew to 16-10 as Cochran called a timeout before the winning team tacked on two more points to go up by eight. Toronto extended its advantage to 21-11 resulting in another timeout being called.

Catholic Central did not go away quietly as the Crusaders battled back and pulled to within 22-17 forcing Bahen to call a timeout. The home team pulled to within 22-18 before the Red Knights recorded the final three points of the game to win it by seven to sweep the match.

Catholic Central is scheduled to play Heartland Christian today on the road. The JV match is slated to start at 5:30 p.m. with the varsity match to follow.

Toronto is set to take part in a tri match Saturday with Carrollton and Edison out at the Edison Fieldhouse. The Warriors and Wildcats will play at 10 a.m, the Red Knights will then take on the Warriors at 11 before taking on the Wildcats at noon.