Avery Williams' hat trick highlights Licking Valley girls soccer victory

Avery Williams had three goals and an assist Saturday, fueling the Licking Valley girls soccer team to a 7-3 season-opening victory over visiting Morgan.

Bella Reynard added two goals and Kenly Muzykoski and Emerson Wilson each had one for the Panthers. Muzykoski, Wilson, Lauren Bender and Alyvia Houston also had an assist each.

Watkins Cruises

Abby Mumford and Ella Perry each had a goal and two assists to lead Watkins Memorial to a 6-1 victory over visiting Zanesville to start Licking County League play.

Kiley Jones-Barrera scored twice and Chloe Brown and Kamryn Caldwell once each, and Jones-Barrera and Keira McKittrick each added an assist for the Warriors (2-0, 1-0). Emma Pennington and Zoey Thompson combined for seven saves.

Heights win

Emma French scored seven goals for Licking Heights in a season-opening 9-0 win at Northridge to start LCL play.

Halle Whitman and Madison Simmons also scored for the Hornets, and Whitman, French, Jayah Mitchell, Ella Hilborne, Zoe Kubinsky and Kaitlyn Ireland each had an assist.

Ava Kercher and Lyla Stockberger combined for 12 saves for the Vikings.

Heath cut himself

Sophia Yanka made 14 saves for the Heath in a close 1-0 season-opening loss to visiting Sheridan.

Kai Holmberg attempted three shots for the Bulldogs.

FOOTBALL BOYS

Heights clears Northridge

Utsab Bhattarai scored twice for Licking Heights in a 4-0 season-opening win over visiting Northridge to open LCL play.

Sebastian Stojcev and Sam Asamoah-Larbi each added a goal, and Stojcev and Grandin Kolp each had an assist for the Hornets. Maxim Fink made five saves, including one high in the corner for his first career shutout.

VOLLEY-BALL

Northridge wins on the road

Taryn Eblin and Laney Higgins combined for 41 assists for Northridge in a season-opening win at Cardington, 25-22, 25-13, 25-13.

McKenna Ellis totaled 11 kills and Ruby Cermak added eight for the Vikings.

Utica pinched

Alexa Gosnell had 10 kills and 15 assists for Utica in a tough season-opening loss to Fredericktown, 23-25, 24-26, 25-23, 25-21, 15-9.

Emily Ritzer added nine kills, Makenna Wilson eight kills, Macie Ellis 18 assists, Madison Yates four aces and Callie Baker 19 digs for Utica.

Granville survived

Granville had Bishop Hartley on the ropes, but the visiting Hawks cruised past the Blue Aces in the season opener, 24-26, 21-25, 25-11, 25-12, 15-10.

Elle Mortimer totaled 12 kills and nine blocks to lead the Blue Aces. Makenna Watson added seven kills, Melia Teter six kills, Cassie Becker 14 assists and Reagan Schmidt 15 digs.

Heath gives the opening

Ansley Harbage dished out 21 assists for the host Heath in a season-opening loss to powerhouse Meadowbrook, 25-22, 25-20, 25-13.

Kinley Kaminsky, Kyndall Spicer and Kylie Green each had five kills, with Kaminsky adding four blocks and Green three for the Bulldogs.

GIRLS TENNIS

Watkins shares the title

Payton Zerkle and Eva Barbour won the championship no. 2 for host Watkins Memorial during the Warrior Doubles Classic.

The Warriors totaled 83 points, sharing the team title with Lancaster. Nora Grennan and Kaiya Minier were runners-up for 1st.

GOLF BOYS

Burgett leads Granville

Brogan Burgett shot a 77 at Hiawatha for Granville during the Kent Miller Invitational at Mount Vernon.

Chase Holtzapple was right behind at 78 for the Blue Aces.

Weidheiden

Avery Williams’ hat trick highlights Licking Valley girls soccer victory