The Blanchester seventh and eighth grade volleyball teams were defeated in a pair of close matches Thursday by New Richmond.

The eighth grade was led by Summer Schutte, who had four aces, nine kills, six target passes and three assists. Emma Falgner contributed two aces, four kill and seven target passes. Ainsley Whitaker chipped in with five assists, three aces, two kills and a target pass. Sarah Pell was credited with several crucial saves, coach Amanda Benza said. She also had two aces, a kill, a block, a target pass and two assists.

In the seventh grade match, Cheyenne Reed had three aces and five perfect passes. Gracie Roy came through with an ace, an assist, three kills and two perfect passes. Lainey Dameron had an ace, a kill, an assist and two blocks.