“Can I get an Amen”, words from the Friars themselves as they needed your strength in their prayers to pull this one off. Top contender and former rival Kellenberg comes with a strong offense in the first set at the Oct. 10th home match.
Friar offense led by senior hitters, Emma Sullivan and Paige Savitsky, helped the Friars gain an early lead in the first set. Spectacular communication made by starting liberos Emma Benes, Grace Rail and Yamileth Torres set the Friars up to be a hitting machine (11-7). Kellenberg answered back just as loud. With a powerful front line and strong support in the back they stayed hip to hip with the Friars and made them work for the win (24-18).
Middle hitters Emma Sullivan and Colleen Mc Cullagh held their own in the middle against strong Firebird hitters. Rail was a major asset to the friars success.The definition of versatile, Grace helped defend and score on the firebirds. Hitting from the back row to digging some of the most difficult spikes, Rail set the friars on a good start.
The energy was not only on the Friar bench. Fans of all ages came to support the Friars with a special visit by our own principal Brother David. With Kellenberg on the Friar’s tail late into the first set it took all the girls to come together to be successful in the first. Varsity volleyball plays the best out of five; it was vital the Friars came out on top in the first set to establish a tone for the match.
Friars victory in the first set, made the tension between the Firebirds grew even higher. There was tough criticism coming from Coach Newman who only tries to make her girls the best against some of the best. Sr. Erin Mc Laughlin, right side hitter, plays a big role in the Friars offense in the second set. Erin’s successful kill, put the ball in the hands of power server Yamileth Torres to pull a lead on the Firebirds. Point to point each team fights to stay ahead; it will take the Friars determination to pull through in the second set.
Savitsky keeping the momentum in the friars favor with a strong repeated swing on the Firebird’s defense. With strong server and setter Sofia Termini on the line, the plan is to dig set and swing repeatedly to the Firebirds. With a startled group of Firebirds the Friars were able to gain a significant lead over the Kellenberg power team gaining a six point lead. With every member on the Friar team doing their job to try and pull it over on the Firebirds. Kellenberg, not ready to give up they answer back with their power (19-18). With the possession going back and forth, it leads to a very exciting and interesting game with only two sets completed.
As the Friars inch closer to victory they close in on the second set and remain on top. Fan Sarah Sullivan, sister of middle hitter Emma Sullivan quotes, “It’s always the best to come see my sister crush it in such a competitive game.” With the Friars continuing to plow through to a win amazing digs by Gia Vigs played an important role in the back row with teammate Benes defending the Firebird’s attacks. Outside hitter Maggie O’Flynn and setter Sofia Termini proved that height isn’t everything when you got the hops. Both juniors blocked numerous Kellenberg hitting attempts and helped the friars to victory. Hitters Mc Cullagh and Paige Savitsky closed today’s match with back to back kills leaving the Firebirds in defeat 25- 21.
With the friar fans ecstatic on today’s victory the icing on the cake was Brother David celebrating with the Friars on their tremendous win. Congratulations to the lady friars on a win to further their chances at a CHSAA title. As Brother said, “LET’S GO FRIARS!”
Gabrielle Miller is a sophomore at St. Anthony’s High School, this is her first year at Friar Scoreboard. She is also a returning captain of the girls JVA basketball team and hopes to study journalism in the future. Her goal; reach the hearts of as many people through the power of words.
