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Curwensville volleyball sweeps Clearfield
Friday, September 25, 2009
By Jaclyn Yingling Sports Editor
CURWENSVILLE - The Curwensville volleyball team toppled rival Clearfield in straight sets on Thursday evening, 25-15, 25-19 and 25-7.
Curwensville's middles dominated at the net, as Rachel Michaels racked up 17 kills and five blocks on the night. Taylor Thornhill had nine kills and six blocks in the sweep.
"We started out the second game well, and then we let them come back," said Lady Bisons head coach Bob Peters.
"We can't do that. It's the second match in a row we fell apart in the last game. They just have to learn to keep going."
Clearfield took an early 4-2 lead in the first set, as the Lady Tide struggled to return the ball after the serve. But Curwensville got things together, pulling out to a 14-9 lead before going on to win the set, 25-15.
Michaels had six kills in the set, while Thornhill had two kills and a block.
"Rachel Michaels had a good night tonight," Lady Tide head coach Sandy Bailor said. "My middles are doing the job. They come to play every night. I'm real proud of them.
"I always say I would put my middles up against anyone in the area. They can really hit the ball when they are on."
The Lady Bisons broke to another early lead in the second set, but couldn't sustain the momentum, and Curwensville rebounded from five service errors to win, 25-19.
"We worked on serving last night in practice," said Bailor. "It's a lack of focus at the line. You have to be able to get on the line and just hit the ball in play, especially with rally scoring.
"Sure, you want to get an ace, but you need to get the ball over and not give away the point."
Clearfield played the entire second set without middle hitter Adrienne Stucke, who left midway through the first set with an injury.
"We just couldn't compete with their height," Peters said. "They have some tall hitters. We couldn't handle it today."
The Lady Bisons tried to put pressure on Michaels all night, but Curwensville setters Jayme McKenzie and Audrey Thomas helped direct the ball elsewhere to hitters Stephanie Neeper and Rachel Holland. Neeper finished the game with seven kills.
"My setters did a good job running the floor," said Bailor. "They mixed it up. We told them they have to look to see what's open, to not always go to the middles.
"Clearfield was triple-blocking Rachel and Taylor there for awhile, and they (the setters) were finding the holes."
The third game featured a little more motivation for the Lady Tide, who were upset by Clearfield fans tearing down a homemade sign from the wall.
The extra factor helped Curwensville put the Lady Bisons away quickly in the third set, 25-7.
"I think it definitely helped motivate the girls," Bailor said.
McKenzie had 12 service points, including three aces in the game. She finished the night with 20 service points.
Thornhill added 14 service points, while Holland had seven.
The Lady Tide also got a good game out of libero Sara Clark, who had several digs on the night.
"Sara did a real nice job tonight," said Bailor. "She really played well on defense."
The Lady Tide (3-2) return to action Wednesday at Brockway. Clearfield (0-8) hosts Brookville on Tuesday.
Curwensville won the junior varsity game, 25-17, 25-8.
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