Blog Report By Kelly Goodsel
Corry Volleyball Head Coach
In possibly the only match-up of number one ranked teams in Corry sports history, the AA classification Corry lady Beavers swept the single A classification Clarion bobcats in three straight sets. 25-22, 27-25, and 25-22. (Note: AA classification has more students in high school census than single A classification.)
Corry rode the home court electricity to an early 7-2 lead when Clarion called their first time out. Sophomore outside hitter Grace Allen pounded two consecutive kills and then senior opposite hitter Emmalee Carr earned a kill and Corry held the five point lead 11-6. Corry maintained the five point lead at 16-11 on a senior middle hitter, Aubrey Chase kill to the right back corner of the court. Clarion got on a run with some tough serving and big swings by their outside hitters and tied the game up at 16-16. The Grace Allen two kills, Emmalee Carr one kill tandem occurred again and Corry led 21-17. Clarion responded again, tying the score at 22-22 and the pressure built on the home squad, and Corry executed with a senior outside hitter Halle Albers kill down the line, and senior opposite hitter Allison Sawyer scored with a kill before senior setter Payton McCray won the game 25-22 on a service ace.
The second set was tied 6-6 when Clarion got their offense running on all cylinders, running off a 13 of the next 19 points and Corry was in a seven point deficit at 12-19. Corry used a timeout to calm the nerves and started setting Halle Albers who scored three consecutive kills and after an Allison Sawyer kill, Clarion called time out with only a three point lead 23-20. Clarion looked to close out the set with a kill making the score 24-20, but Corry wasn’t giving up. Allison Sawyer and Aubrey Chase doubled up on a huge block to close the deficit to three points; Halle Albers narrowed the lead to two points on a service ace; Allison Sawyer scored on a right side kill, another huge block by the Sawyer / Chase tandem tied up the set at 24-24. Clarion took their final timeout to stem the momentum, but a Clarion hitting error gave Corry the 25-24 lead, but needing just one point, Corry had a service error to tie the game up at 25-25. Clarion served the ball into the net and Corry finished the huge comeback on a Grace Allen kill down the line.
Corry and Clarion battled in the third set as you expect two of the better teams in the state to battle, it was a close game from the beginning and tied 13 times throughout, all the way up to 21-21 and with Corry up 22-21, Clarion took their first time out and earned the next point to tie the game up again at 22-22. Similar to the first set, Corry buckled down the last three points and behind kills by Halle Albers and Allison Sawyer, Corry was up 24-22 forcing the final Clarion timeout and after a great pass, Grace Allen pounded a kill to win the match.
“The difference in the match was our serving and the second set comeback. During the timeout in the middle of the second set, trailing 18-12, I told the team to just relax and trust… trust your teammates, trust your training, trust the scouting report, and the kids responded.” Said coach Kelly Goodsel. “And, what a great environment to play in… the crowd was awesome which clearly helped us in the second set comeback.”
“Our servers were able to put enough pressure on the Clarion serve receive passers that it made the Clarion offense pretty predictable (setter only had 1 obvious option to set) and so we were able to set up our defense and run an effective transition offense. Senior setter Payton McCray quarterbacked the offense with 20 assists and senior libero Makenna Moore did a great job reading the Clarion hitters, collecting a team high 18 digs. Junior defensive specialist Sydney Mineo came in the third set and did a great job serving at a different target and picking up 3 digs.” Continued Goodsel.
“This was a big win, sure because it was a much-hyped #1 versus #1 match, but more so for where we are in the season. We’re past the half-way point of the season, last week was busy with homecoming, a couple of matches, and a tournament and then three matches this week – including the senior night festivities… the team could have lost focus, used the ‘we’re tired’ excuse… but they didn’t. They fought through the mental and emotional fatigue and that is huge for later in the season when we are in the next big match.” Explained Goodsel.
Corry improves their overall record to 6-1 and they are 3-0 in Region 4 competition. The Beavers will host the Seneca Bobcats on Thursday night as they celebrate Senior night with nine young ladies and families. JV is scheduled for 6:00 PM with the Senior Night festivities to follow. The Varsity match will cap the night. If you can't make it to the game, watch it live on the DeeJ Experience Sports Stream at www.deejexperience.com/corry-beavers
Statistical leaders for the day included:
Clarion Stats:
Hadlee Campbell 9 kills 10 digs
Marley Kline 6 kills 7 digs
Sophie Babbington 5 kills 8 digs
Addi Campbell 19 assists 9 digs
Anna O’Toole 11 digs
Natalie Durish 16 digs
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