Fillies holds their own against undefeated Norwin
John F. Brothers/HeraldStandard.com
Laurel Highlands’ Haley Moreland (23) watches teammate Kristina Hudock (17) deliver a spike during their match Thursday against Norwin at Laurel Highlands High School.
Marrisa Erminio (35) sets the ball for the Fillies Thursday during their match against Norwin at Laurel Highlands High School.
Laurel Highlands' Haley Moreland (23) sets the ball for the Fillies during their match against Norwin at Laurel Highlands High School Thursday.
The Fillies' Crista Swenglish (1) plays a serve from Nowin during their match Thursday at Laurel Highlands High School.
If there was any question whether Laurel Highlands could play with the so-called “big girls” of Class AAA it was answered on Thursday night. While the Fillies fell to unbeaten Norwin in five sets, they held their own through the two-hour match.
Norwin (5-0, 3-0) won the first set 25-23, but saw Laurel Highlands battle back from a 14-7 deficit to evoke ties at 20-20, 21-21, and 23-23 before Rachel Keto’s fifth kill of the night finished the set.
Marissa Erminio led LH on the night with 26 kills and seven of those came in the first set to go with two kills, an ace and a block point by Kristina Hudock.
Laurel Highlands (1-2, 1-3) played well all night when the Fillies had the lead, especially in the second set.
Breaking from a 4-4 tie, the Fillies roared to a 9-6 advantage fueled by a finish and kill by Erminio and a finish point by Haley Moreland.
A kill by Hudock, and a pair of aces by Kendall Erminio around a kill by Hannah Basinger built the lead to 13-6.
Norwin ran off six straight points to cut the lead to two points on two kills by Keto and another kill by Catherine Ferragonio, and then got within one at 14-13.
But LH ran off three points, and then got three kills by Marissa Erminio in a run that extended the lead to 20-16.
After Norwin fought back to within one at 20-19, LH went on a 5-2 run fueled by a kill and ace by Marissa Erminio and a kill by Basinger on the way to a 25-21 set win.
Norwin controlled the third set with a 4-1 start and built the lead to 22-9 before a late charge by the Fillies cut the final margin to 10 at 25-15.
The Fillies once again broke from a 4-4 tie in the fourth set to take control on a four-point run that included two kills by Marissa Erminio. The lead grew to 18-9 on a couple kills by Hudock and a kill by Mara Brant.
LH put the match away at 25-14 on a kill by Basinger and a finish point from Breanna Mehall.
Laurel Highlands scored the first point of the fifth set, but Norwin broke from a 2-2 tie on two Keto kills and another kill from Hanna Evanchak to build a 7-3 lead.
Two kills by Marissa Erminio cut the lead to 7-6 before Norwin ran off three points to lead 10-6. Three Erminio kills down the stretch kept LH within two points at 12-10, before the Lady Knights used a 3-1 finish to put the match away.
Norwin coach Mary Ellen Ferragonio said Laurel Highlands “is a solid team. Things could have gone either way. I was worried more than a few times.”
Laurel Highlands coach Michelle Pergar was proud of her team, but not satisfied with a close loss.
“Our girls are an amazing team and are strong in the front row, back row, and on defense. But there are times they forget to talk because the trust each other on and off the court and just forget to talk.
“This is our first year in this section and we’re used to dominating matches from the start. We’re adjusting to seeing other teams that have big blockers and big hitters.”