Fillies defeat Uniontown, remain undefeated
Uniontown's Taylor Campbell spikes the ball over the net during Tuesday's match at Laurel Highlands.
Laurel Highlands' Tessa Sova digs to set up a pass during Tuesday's match against Uniontown at Laurel Highlands.
Uniontown's Jessy Madison spikes the ball towards the Lady Mustangs during Tuesday's match at Laurel Highlands.
Laurel Highlands' Brianna Mehall (8) tries to block a shot by Uniontown's Taylor Campbell during Tuesday's match at Laurel Highlands.
John F. Brothers/HeraldStandard.com
Laurel Highlands’ Tessa Sova hits the ball over the net as Uniontown’s Meagan Springer attempts a block during Tuesday’s match at Laurel Highlands.
In a battle of undefeated volleyball rivals, Laurel Highlands defeated Uniontown, 25-13, 25-16, 25-18, on Tuesday to maintain its hold on first place in Section 7-AA.
The host Fillies (5-0, 7-0) used big runs in each set to take control in front of a large crowd of followers for both teams at Laurel Highlands.
“We definitely worked hard in practice and were ready for this game,” said LH coach Michelle Pergar. “We fed off the crowd and we were happy that they came out and showed support for this game.”
The Fillies used a 15-3 run in the first game to build an 18-5 lead. During the run, Breesa Kasevich had eight consecutive service points, and Gina Ciarrocchi added a string of four service points.
Uniontown (4-1, 7-1) battled back with a six-point run fueled by a pair of service aces by Tori Campbell and a kill by Jessy Madison that helped cut the lead to 18-12.
But LH ran off seven of the next eight points, led by three kills by Tessa Sova, including the game-clinching point.
Taylor Campbell led the Lady Raiders to a quick start in the second game with two kills and Madison added another kill as Uniontown led 5-1.
But LH went on an 8-1 run to lead 9-6 as Marissa Erminio had a kill and Kasevich served for three points.
After building a 14-11 edge, the Fillies went on a 7-2 run to lead 21-13 as Ciarrocchi had two kills and Erminio added another kill. Tori Campbell and Taylor Campbell had kills to keep Uniontown in the game until LH won out at 25-16.
The third set was tied six times until Hudock’s kill put the Fillies ahead to stay at 9-8 in the midst of a five-point run. Mara Brant had an ace and Marissa Erminio a kill in the run as LH led 13-8.
Uniontown battled back to within one point twice at 13-12 and 14-13. The Fillies kept Uniontown at bay on kills by Sova, Mehall, and Ciarrocchi. Tori Campbell’s kill at 23-17 and a net serve by the Fillies were the final points for the visitors before Marissa Erminio’s kill ended the match at 25-18.
When asked if his team might have been nervous during its slow start in the first game, Uniontown coach Dario Piccolomini said, “It wasn’t nerves. We were very determined to win, and lost our focus on the little things that are important; me included. I’ve got to give Laurel Highlands credit for the way they played. But it wasn’t a bad loss. We can take things and learn from them for the rest of the season.”
Pergar praised the efforts of her seniors and said Sova, Ciarrocchi, and Kasevich have been team leaders on the court in their actions and vocally. She said team’s performance was one of its best and is a good springboard for a non-section game tonight at Hempfield Area.