The Hilltoppers traveled to New Providence to take on the Pioneers in a divisional match-up. The impact of the loss of MB Georgia Inggs would be on display. The team weathered the loss of Inggs well as the set 1 loss by 24-26 indicated but key points in the match were decided by long rallies that could've used her height and experience. Set 2 was a more lopsided affair as the serve receive wasn't quite as sharp as prior matches and the lack of offensive output was more evident in that set. However, despite being down 8-21, the team rallied behind Ava Williamson who scored 7 consecutive service points to bring the team back to within 4 at 17-21 before a service error gave the ball back to New Providence and the eventual 18-25 set 2 loss.
Set 1 saw the Hilltoppers get hurt by their own mistakes as the team piled up 12 unforced errors -6 hitting, 4 serving and 1 blocking- which proved to be decisive in the 2 point loss. Summit managed only 6 kills and 1 ace in the set which exemplified the team's struggles offensively but dug up 20 balls which proved to be the main factor in staying in the set. Taylor Thompson tallied 8 of the 20 digs and had 2 kills to pace the Maroon and White's efforts. The team brought in Kate McPherson on the outside to generate a spark and despite a slow start (3 attempts, 2 errors), KMAC finished the set with 2 kills in 4 attempts with 0 errors to give Summit hope in the match. The Hilltoppers also kept themselves in the set despite the lack of offense thanks to the serve receive prowess of Williamson and Thompson who took 10 of the 15 serves at them for a 2.1 combined rating.
Set 2 was just as anemic offensively (6 kills) but KMAC was a perfect 3 for 6 with no errors from the outside which gave the Hilltoppers a hint of what the team may be able to rely upon in the future. Williamson hit for a team leading 3 aces in the set during a 7 point service run which buoyed the Hilltopper offense from the service line in the set. Thompson and Williamson again combined for over 50% of the serve receptions combining for a 2.05 pass rating in the set which helped keep Summit's chances for a comeback alive. The inability to score on rallies late in the set as the team had pulled to within 4 proved to be the main factor in the set loss as the team was out-gunned 3-0 in the closing points despite having a 7-4 attack attempt edge in the sequence. Summit added another 19 digs to the match total (39) led by Williamson's 6 in the set.
McPherson was the light at the end of the tunnel for the Maroon and White as she hit for 5 kills and 1 error after the slow start midway in set 1 to lead the team for the match.
JV ROLLS TO 5th CONSECUTIVE WIN IN 3 SET THRILLER
BEST START IN PROGRAM HISTORY
The young JV squad got their 5th consecutive win and have the best start in program history behind timely serving and an improved serve receive offense that resulted in 1 19-25, 25-16, 15-13 three set victory over the Pioneers.
The victory was a total team effort as almost every one of the players had a hand in the victory. The Pioneers prevented the normally reliable ace machines of the Maroon and White to score but the tough serving also held the Pioneer offense in check. The difference in set 1 was New Providence's serving as the Green and White rattled off 7 straight points in one rotation that created a 5 point lead the Pioneers would not relinquish.
The tone of set 2 was set by Luisa Esquivel who started the set with a sprawling perfect pass that led to a kill and she continued to be a factor in the set tallying 4 digs and getting a kill of her own. The early defensive effort set the tone for the team and Summit would use their offense to put away the Pioneers late in the set when the lead was a mere 3 points (16-13) going on a 9-3 run that closed New Providence out 25-14.
Set 3 was a battle of serving as both teams took each other's best shot from behind the service line and yet the teams were deadlocked at 6 after 3 rotations. Summit then pulled a 5-1 run that seemed to give the crew an insurmountable lead at 11-7. Credit to New Providence who didn't wilt but rather used their serving pressure to go on a 6-2 run and run the score to 13 all. Cassandra Hrehorovich stepped up then under tremendous pressure and delivered to key serves that forced the Pioneers into out of system attacks that went awry and closed out the match 15-13 in favor of the Hilltoppers.
There were a lot of heroes in the match but some players stood out within the flow of the game. Sarah Maldonado had a good overall game, tallying 4 digs and adding 3 kills. Megan Gregory continued her torrid offensive pace putting away another 6 kills. Abby Doyle dished out 5 assists, added 2 kills and 1 ace. Annabella Yorio was a factor in the front with 3 kills and chipped in 4 digs. Casey Walsh was the team leader with 5 digs and Kyra Guenther was active at the net, dishing out 3 assists to go along with her 2 digs. Esquivel, the key to the second set comeback, was all over the court, digging up 4 balls, adding 1 kill and tallying 2 assists.
Next up for the scorching hot JV Squad will be the Dragons of Kent Place, 11:30am, Saturday.
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