Columbiana’s Landry Smith (right) works the net against East Palestine’s Emma Gingher (14) and Destiney Burtyk (11) on Tuesday. (Morning Journal/Ron Firth)

COLUMBIANA — The Columbiana Clippers looked more like the Crestview Rebels in their gold and black uniforms, but the only gold they looking at was their latest championship trophy.

Columbiana wrapped up sole possession of its third straight Eastern Ohio Athletic Conference title with a 25-19, 25-21, 25-11 win over East Palestine on Tuesday.

The Clippers improve to 17-1 overall and 13-0 in the EOAC. They have a two-game lead over United with one league match remaining Thursday at Southern.

Columbiana stretched its league unbeaten streak to 27 matches, losing only five total games during that span.

The Clippers came out wearing their Winning for Winnie jerseys as they teamed up against cancer for the 18th year in the Clippers for a Cure match.

It is now held in honor of Winnie Vollnogle, the daughter of former Columbiana soccer coach Chad Vollnogle and his wife, Katelyn. Winnie has completed her cancer treaments for leukemia.

Proceeds from the match go to help a local family dealing with childhood cancer. This year’s recipient is Emmett Crist of Salem.

The Clippers got another balanced effort on the floor with Eva Waller totaling 13 points, five aces, 22 assists and five digs and Lily Jackson nine points, four aces and five digs.

Landry Smith and Addisyn Dangler powered the Clippers at the net. Smith had 11 kills, two points and two digs and Dangler 10 kills, two blocks, eight points and two aces. Evy Rapp collected five points, four kills and 10 digs.

East Palestine took an 11-7 lead in the first game following four straight service points by Cami Kridler. Dangler had a block, a spike and a service winner to help Columbiana take the lead for good in the first game at 16-15. The Clippers scored nine of the last 13 points to take the opening game on their way to victory.

The Clippers have captured nine league titles, including three in row three times. They also won Inter County League titles from 1979-81 and 1985-87.

Topping East Palestine were Cami Kridler with six points, two aces, nine assists and 17 digs, Amara Wilson with two aces, seven kills and seven digs, Destiney Buryk with three points and six kills, and Alyssa Dilling with nine digs.

The Bulldogs move to 8-9 overall and 7-6 in league play.

East Palestine won the thrilling junior varsity match, 17-25, 25-23, 28-26. The final game was tied at 23, 24, 25 and 26 until Kendyl McCowin bumped over a winner to give the Bulldogs the lead for good.

Marley Haldiman had 11 points and two aces for the Bulldogs. Violet Glavan had nine points, four aces and four kills and Cadence Vargo four kills and four points.

For the Clippers, Abby Barborak had 11 points, four aces, two kills and four assists; Ella Eisenbraun seven points, three aces, three kills and 10 assists; Ava Marks six points, two aces, three kills and seven digs; Harper Cuff four points, three aces and six kills; and Sylvia Rapp made eight digs.

East Palestine will play at Sebring today and will host Lisbon on Thursday.