By P.J. Harmer

Staff Writer

DELHI — Delhi’s Jo Palmer went wire to

Star photo by Julie Lewis Delhi’s Kim Kaufman sends the ball past Unatego’s Nicole Hurlburt during the first game of the Section Four Class C volleyball championship Friday at Delhi.

wire Friday.

Senior Palmer had 10 kills to lead the top-seeded Delhi volleyball team to a three-game sweep of No. 2 Unatego in the Section Four Class C championship.

Palmer starred as Delhi’s go-to hitter, helping the Bulldogs to a 25-19, 25-15, 25-20 victory.

"They were good sets and that’s what you need," Palmer said. "We had a heck of a day. We’re much stronger this year."

[an error occurred while processing this directive]Unatego beat Delhi in the section championship last season, snapping the Bulldogs four-year reign as champions.

"There was pressure," Palmer said. "I don’t usually get nervous, but I was a little tonight. Once we got playing, I was excited."

Palmer showed her nerves early as two dig attempts bounced off her arms and out of bounds. That helped Unatego to a 3-2 lead in the first game. Palmer got on track, though, when she spiked a shot that pulled Delhi within 7-6.

"She probably hit tonight as well as she has all season," said first-year Delhi coach Beau Bracchy, whose team improved to 19-0. "We needed it. This was probably her best game on the front line all season."

Kim Kaufman gave Delhi all the momentum it needed in the first game. Trailing, 11-10, Kaufman served five straight points for a 15-11 lead.

The Bulldogs (19-0) trailed one more time the rest of the night — 1-0 to start the third game.

"I really needed to get my serve in," said Kaufman, who finished with 11 assists and three kills. "I just had to get it in early and it would be all right. They were a good team and we knew we had to bring our best game."

The Spartans (15-5) often looked tentative and struggled to get good hits over the net. And when Unatego managed to get off a strong shot, it frequently sailed long.

"We had a hard time and we weren’t getting good settings," Unatego coach Kelli Niles said. "We weren’t putting ourselves in situations for good kills.

"We’ve played them twice and lost to them both times," she continued. "That’s a lot on their minds. They’re good and my girls knew they had a match tonight."

Nicole Lindroth had three kills and three blocks for Unatego. Emily Kishbaugh finished with three kills and five assists, and Nicole Hurlburt had five aces.

Carissa Birdsall had six kills, Cassie Barnes four kills and Jenn Greene nine assists for the Bulldogs.

"I’m very familiar with this group because I had them on JV," Bracchy said. "They went undefeated my last year with them, but I didn’t expect this. It’s awesome."

DELHI 3, UNATEGO 0

Game scores: 25-19, 25-15, 25-20.

1-DELHI (19-0): Jo Palmer 10 kills, 1 ace; Carissa Birdsall 6 kills; Kim Kaufman 11 assists, 3 kills; Jenn Greene 9 assists; Cassie Barnes 4 kills; Amanda Schmitz 3 digs, 1 kill, 1 assist.

2-UNATEGO (15-5): Nicole Hurlburt 5 aces, 2 kills; Nicole Lindroth 3 kills, 3 blocks; Emily Kishbaugh 3 kills, 5 assists, 1 ace.

Lindsay Page had 10 kills, 10 service points, four digs and four aces to lead top-seeded Afton to its second straight Section Four Class D championship at Delhi.

Alyssa Prezorski had six digs, two blocks, two aces and two kills for the Crimson Knights (8-9).

Hancock won the opener, 25-16, but Afton followed by winning the next three games, 25-18, 25-15, 29-27.

"It’s exciting to win again," Afton coach Nikki Page said. "I think the fact that we play the bigger schools helps us prepare for a big game like tonight."

Kate Sanford finished with seven digs and three kills, and Courtney Wilson had nine assists and six kills for Afton.

AFTON 3, HANCOCK 1

Game scores: 16-25, 25-18, 25-15, 29-27.

1-AFTON (8-9): Kate Sanford 7 digs, 3 kills, 2 blocks; Alyssa Prezorski 6 digs, 9 points, 2 kills, 2 blocks, 2 aces; Lindsay Page 10 kills, 4 digs, 10 points, 4 aces; Amanda Mesko 7 assists, 1 kill; Casey Konz 5 assists, 1 kill; Courtney Wilson 9 assists, 6 kills; Amanda Ellis 15 points.

2-HANCOCK (7-10): N/A.