P-O sweeps Central Mountain in girls’ volleyball
By Tom Elling
BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP, PA – Central Mountain Lady Wildcat Coach Chipp McCann knew going in his team would have a difficult time with #5 state-ranked Philipsburg-Osceola. The Lady Mounties are undefeated in the District 6 Rankings and 16-3-1 overall. They had also played a more rugged schedule than the locals.
“They (Philipsburg-Osceola) had everyone back from a team that maybe should have won states last year,” mused McCann. “And while there is no doubt Indiana University-bound Reese Hazelton is a tremendous player,
that team is more than just one good player.”
Hazleton showed the enthusiastic crowd just why Big Ten Indiana recruited her. He kills were devastating and very few of them were returnable. The 6-3 star was unstoppable from the left outside hitter
position as the visitors ran off a 3-0 sweep of the Wildcats., 25-8, 25-18 and 25-13.
Central Mountain, although outperformed, showed a lot of grit and desire. After a paltry eight points in game one, they rallied to give the Mounties some competition.
“We played hard,” McCann said. “P-O is well coached, and they should do well the rest of the way. I wished their coach (Dave Eckberg) good luck and told him I hope they win the State championships.”
Central Mountain did have sparks of brilliance and never gave up. Kylie Rauch played well both defensively and offensively. Keely Rohrbaugh wassolid and Katelyn Bowman and Sophia Hardy were effective in serving.
Cora Myers also played well.
The Wildcats now 7-3 in District 6 ranking games (and 10-5 overall) will travel to Williamsport on Wednesday then host Altoona on October 16. CM defeated Williamsport earlier in the year in a 2-1 best-of-three
contest.
Notable asides:
. Credit to Coach McCann for holding a ‘Teacher Appreciation’ night and
for getting the word out to ‘fill the gym.’ While it was not full, this
was the best-attended CM game all season.
. CMHS student Luke Garman played a unique and well-done guitar version
of the National Anthem.
. Mrs. Onuskanich was electrifying on her introductions of the starting
line-ups.
. The student cheering section was enthusiastic and added to the atmosphere.
