DuBois edges Central Mountain Volleyball
By Tom Elling
BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP, PA-It was billed as two of the top teams in the area facing off, and it didn’t disappoint. DuBois came in unbeaten at 5-0; The Lady Wildcats sported a fine 7-3 mark. It may have been better than advertised as the teams went into the fifth and deciding set tied at two wins a piece.
Central Mountain looked extremely well in set one as they raced to an early lead, dominating in a 25-9 win. DuBois turned the tables on the home team jumping out to early leads in sets two and three and then holding on to take both by a 25-20 margin.
Backs to the wall, the Wildcat ladies took a nail-biter fourth set, 25-22. They forced the deciding set, which was a back-and-forth battle. DuBois emerged with a razor-thin 16-14 decider for the win.
Both teams played very well as a team with numerous players contributing. Coach Chip McCann kept his players fresh with rotating the substitutions.
CM’s Kyleigh McDermit, an outstanding veteran was a force on the court. She served well; delivered some thunderous spikes and changed to a soft touch when she felt the opening. She had a lot of help from fellow veteran Emilee Heverly and Makenna Stratts. Frosh Reese Walizer was all over the floor with several key ‘digs’ and more than her share of sets. Olivia Rockey and Keely Rohrbach also sparkled.
DuBois perhaps had the edge at the net with some terrific sets followed by rocketlike finishes. Their chief weapon was #22, lefty Morgan Pasternak. From holding serve to smashes near the net, she excelled and, perhaps, was the difference-maker in the final outcome. Madelyn Crabtree, Gabriella Giuluas, Emily Snyder and Emma Delp also provided key plays for the Lady Beavers.Their coach Jason Gustafson had effusive praise to the Lady Cats. “They played exceptionally well tonight. I am please to head home with win #6. It wasn’t easy.”
Chip McCann (first-year head coach) felt his team gave great effort against a quality team. He felt giving the opponent two big leads in sets two and three may have been the difference.
There may have been a difference, but it was razor thin. Look for both teams to win a lot more games this season. The Cats next play South Williamsport on Thursday and Cumberland Valley on Saturday.
Off the Court:
The student section was a bonus. They know the game and offer vocal and moral support.
Several parents and grandparents also provided support as did a few players from last year’s team.
