Frazier rallies past California for spot in state tourney
Jonathan Guth | Herald-Standard
California’s Ina Helmick hits the ball over the net, as Frazier’s Skye Eicher attempts the block during Saturday’s Class A consolation match for a spot in the state tournament at Baldwin High School. The Lady Commodores’ Kaelyn Shaporka (center) and Gabrielle Alekson watch the play develop.
California's Marlee Renner returns the ball over the net during Saturday's Class A consolation match against Frazier at Baldwin High School, as the Lady Trojans' Marissa Bitonti looks on.
California's Annalise Gillespie spikes the ball past Frazier's Sierra Twigg during Saturday's Class A consolation match at Baldwin High School, as teammate Hanna Engle watches the play.
California's Hanna Engle sets up a teammate during Saturday's Class A consolation match against Frazier at Baldwin High School.
Frazier celebrates after earning a 3-1 victory over California on Saturday in the Class A consolation match at Baldwin High School.
Frazier's Kathryn Barch returns the ball over the net during Saturday's Class A consolation match against California at Baldwin High School.
California's Annalise Gillespie (left) and Hanna Engle put their hands up to block an attack by Frazier, as the Lady Commodores' Logan Hartman (4), Sierra Twigg (16) and Alexis Lovis look on during Saturday's Class A consolation match at Baldwin High School.
California celebrates after scoring a point against Frazier during Saturday's Class A consolation match at Baldwin High School.
California coach Rene Pascoe instructs one of her players on a technique during Saturday's Class A consolation match against Frazier at Baldwin High School.
Frazier coach Mandy Hartman talks with her daughter and player, Logan Hartman, during Saturday's Class A consolation match against California at Baldwin High School.
Frazier's Gabrielle Alekson bumps the ball to set up a teammate during Saturday's Class A consolation match against California at Baldwin High School.
California's Annalise Gillespie bumps the ball over the net during Saturday's Class A consolation match against Frazier at Baldwin High School.
Frazier's Gabrielle Alekson sets the ball for teammate Kaelyn Shaporka (10) during Saturday's Class A consolation match against California at Baldwin High School, as teammate Skye Eicher looks on.
WHITEHALL — Frazier struggled to get going in losing the first set, but rallied for a 3-1 victory over section-rival California on Saturday in the Class A consolation match at Baldwin High School.
The Lady Commodores (16-4) qualified for a berth in the state tournament that begins on Tuesday. Frazier plays the District 9 Champion at a site and time to be determined. Coach Mandy Hartman’s team is making its first trip to the PIAA tournament since 2010, when it won the WPIAL title.
“This is a very tough game to play for any team after losing a tough match in the semifinals,” Hartman said. “Nobody wants to lose in a consolation match, and this wouldn’t be viewed as a successful season if we lost. We lost in this match last year to go to the state tournament, and we didn’t want to do that again.”
The Lady Commodores won all three matches they played against the Lady Trojans (13-7) this season, but Hartman knew it would be a challenge to win three times.
“We knew it would be tough, but to our girls credit, they responded,” Hartman said. “I thought it was a total team effort from our defense to our hitters.”
Frazier lost the first set, 25-22, but rebounded to win the next three by scores of 25-14, 25-20 and 25-15.
“Frazier has a tendency to come on strong later in the match,” California coach Rene Pascoe said. “They are a great team and were placing the ball well.
“It is a credit to our section to have one team going to the state tournament and another being in the top four in the WPIAL. This was a tough section, and we came out with a lot of victories and were No. 4 in the WPIAL.”
The first half of the opening set was back and forth with the set being tied at 12-12 before California went on a mini-run to take an 18-14 lead that prompted Hartman to take a timeout.
The Lady Trojans held a 22-17 advantage before the Lady Commodores cut the deficit to 22-19, and Pascoe used her first timeout.
California extended its lead to 24-20, but Frazier fought off two set points before the Lady Trojans closed it out for a 1-0 lead.
“The girls came out strong and had a great first set, but give credit to Frazier, they never stopped fighting,” Pascoe said.
California jumped out to a 6-2 advantage in the second, but the Lady Commodores used an 8-3 run to take a 10-9 lead, and Pascoe took a timeout.
Frazier held a 16-13 lead when Pascoe used her second timeout, but the Lady Trojans couldn’t get back into the set. The Lady Commodores finished on a 9-1 run.
“After that first set, the girls looked at each other and said, ‘enough was enough,'” Hartman said. “Sierra Twigg rolled her ankle, so we lost her for the rest of the match, but the girls kept playing well.”
California’s only lead in the third set was at 6-5, as Frazier pushed its lead to 18-13 before Pascoe used a timeout.
California showed its resiliency in jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the fourth set, but Frazier went on a 10-2 run for a five-point advantage.
Pascoe took a timeout, but the attacking of Skye Eicher and the serving of Logan Hartman proved to be too much for the Lady Trojans.
“I have to give a lot of credit to not only Skye (Eicher) and Logan (Hartman), but Kathryn (Barch) as well,” coach Hartman said.
Eicher led Frazier in kills with 17. Logan Hartman had 19 assists, 15 service points and 10 kills. Barch added 23 digs and 11 service points, and Alexis Lovis had 15 assists.
Annalise Gillespie led California in kills with 17. She also had seven blocks and four aces. Teammate Adeline O’Savage had six kills and Ina Helmick had 26 assists and four blocks.
The Lady Trojans are not only losing Gillespie, O’Savage and Helmick to graduation, but also Lauren Watkins, Grace Scales, Hanna Engle, Morgan McBurnie, Ashley Gush, Kylie Lusk and Marissa Bitonti.
“This is the best since that we’ve had since the 90s and I’m very proud of the girls,” Pascoe said. “We lose a lot of seniors but I have girls that can play, but they need to develop confidence and work together as a team.”