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West Branch blanks Mo Valley
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
By Jaclyn Yingling Sports Editor
ALLPORT - After falling in the championship game of the Warrior Blast Tournament on Saturday, West Branch head coach Terry Trude wasn't sure how his team would react against Moshannon Valley on Tuesday night.
Turns out, the loss didn't shake the Lady Warriors much.
West Branch won the first two sets by scores of 25-5 before taking the third set, 25-18.
The Lady Warriors took an 11-5 lead in the first set before Gabby Redmond stepped to the service line after a Damsel serve out of bounds.
Redmond served up the next 13 points, including four aces to seal the 25-5 victory.
"We try and serve zones and be a little more aggressive," Trude said. "Gabby Redmond had some big runs. She is probably our best server as far as percentage. She can hit a zone pretty easily. We went after some of their passers, and we were successful."
Moshannon Valley scored its first non-rally point of the night in the second set, forcing a West Branch hit out of bounds. Tayia Swoope also had a kill on a sideout for the Damsels.
"I don't know," said Mo Valley head coach Cydnee Sankey. "The girls are better than this. West Branch brought it and we didn't.
"They did better in the third set, but I expect more from them. They've worked since May, and the girls just haven't brought their full potential this season. I need that to come soon."
It was all West Branch in the second set, as Redmond and Tosha Hahn combined to serve up the final 15 points of the set to take the 25-5 victory.
Kaylin English had three kills and a block in the set, while Morgan Rackish had two kills.
"We were balanced hittingwise," said Trude. "(Setter) Jordan (Natalie) mixed up the ball pretty well. We had some big swings from some people, and that was the key tonight.
"Mo Valley is very well coached and they are always prepared. I just thought we were a little bit more ready."
With the two wins in the first two sets, Trude switched around his lineup and subbed in more bench players.
Seven different substitutes came in and out of the third set, with Dani Zelenky serving up seven points.
Breanna Hayward had two kills and a block in the set for the Lady Warriors.
"The second and third sets we were able to get some different people in," Trude said. "We have some talented freshmen and sophomores, and they work hard in practice. They deserve the time, too. Plus, it's building for the future.
"All the girls can swing pretty good and they all have good serves, so I was glad to get them the opportunity for some time."
The Damsels got a nice service run from Kelsey Kitko in the third set, as she had a five-point run to pull her team to within 22-16.
But West Branch was able to finish out the game, 25-18, to take the three-set victory.
Natalie had 12 assists and nine service points for the Lady Warriors. English finished the game with seven kills, while Rachel Myers had five kills. Redmond led all players with 23 service points, including eight aces.
West Branch improved to 11-5 overall and 3-0 in the Inter-County Conference. The Lady Warriors travel to Bellwood-Antis on Thursday.
Moshannon Valley fell to 2-2 with the loss. The Damsels travel to Claysburg-Kimmel on Thursday.
West Branch won the junior varsity game, 25-4, 25-12.
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