Sep 3, 2006 By Jim Downey 2 min read

Connellsville volleyball coach Natalie Lilley and her squad had four goals as they entered the 2006 season, and the Lady Falcons took care of one objectives Saturday by defeating host Laurel Highlands in the championship to win the Fayette County Coaches’ Association Tournament title. By doing so, the Lady Falcons were also able to avenge last year’s loss in the final to the Fillies.

“This was our first goal, to win this tournament. One down, three more to go,” said Lilley. “We finished second to Laurel Highlands last year and are goal was to win today.”

Connellsville won the first set of the best-of-3 finals, 25-15, but Laurel Highlands coach Nancy Wheeler rallied the troops for a 25-12 win to tie the match.

The Fillies pulled ahead early, 9-4, but the Lady Falcons chipped away until they made a move at 16 points and pull away for a 25-17 win for the championship.

“The last set Brittany O’Donnell had seven service points, including two aces. She really brought us back. After (Connellsville hit) 16 points, it was basically us after that,” said Lilley. “Brandee Leighty was very crucial in the last game.”

“We started strong in the first game, but lost it in the second.”

Laurel Highlands assistant coach Jacquie Kazmierczak said the finals could have gone either way, it was just a matter of taking advantage of momentum.

“It was an exciting match to watch,” Kazmierczak said of the championship. “It could’ve gone either way. Whoever had the momentum was going to win.”

O’Donnell finished the day with 13 service aces. The Lady Falcons’ Jessica Cole had 33 kills in the tournament. Megan Saylor dished out 60 assists through the long day.

The Fillies’ Demi Phillipy was strong in the finals with nine kills while Mallori Hardison had 14 service points, including four assists. Jessica Zavatchen had 15 assists in the three games.

The Fillies finished pool play 6-0 and defeated California, 2-0 (25-20, 25-21) to advance to the finals. Connellsville’s lone loss in pool play came to Laurel Highlands with the Lady Falcons advancing through the semifinals by defeating Yough, 2-0 (25-23, 25-11).

Uniontown, under new head coach Donovan Wright, finished 2-4. Brownsville went 1-5 and Albert Gallatin finished 0-6.