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North Pocono came up one match short in its quest for a District Two girls volleyball title this past week.
On Monday evening, the Lady Trojans journeyed all the way to Milford to battle Wyoming Valley West in the Class AAA semis.
Under the watchful eye of Coach Joanne Perry, the local lasses shrugged off a slow start and rolled to an impressive 3-1 win.
“They had me a little bit worried there after the first game,” Coach Perry confided to The Villager just moments after the victory. “But, the girls pulled it together after that. They are really starting to buy into what we’re teaching them and it shows.”
Unfortunately for local fans, North Pocono couldn’t sustain the momentum. The Lady Trojans ran out of steam in the championship game, dropping a 3-0 decision to Delaware Valley, Class AAA’s #1 seed.
With this last loss, North Pocono closed out a stellar season with an 11-5 mark. DV now advances to the PIAA state tournament. The Warriors boast a 15-1 record, including three wins over the Lady Trojans.
Semifinals
North Pocono rolled into the Class AAA semifinals having won both of their regular season encounters with Valley West.
The Lady Trojans swept the Spartans back in Week One, but they had their hands full in a razor-thin 3-2 win on Oct. 13th.
“They’re a much improv-ed team,” Coach Perry said on the eve of this key match. “We’re definitely not taking them lightly.”
And, that’s a good thing because Valley West came to play on this day. The Spartans shocked a big group of Moscow fans by racing out to an early lead in Game One, then holding on for a 25-19 decision.
Elizabeth “Lizzy” Lisiecki did her best to keep North Pocono in this first game.
A big-hitting senior, Lisiecki twice pulled her team to within a single point with key kills.
Nicole Malec sizzled at the service line and Kayla Kishbaugh contributed two big blocks, but it just wasn’t enough.
To their immense credit, the Lady Trojans battled their way through this early match malaise and took control midway through the second contest.
Kelli Bray paced the Lady Trojan attack. A 6’1” junior who boasts a commanding presence in the front row, Bray excelled in all facets of the game.
Kelli executed a textbook block, then ripped a pair of laserbeam crosscourt kills. Bray eventually served out the game, giving North Pocono a 25-20 win.
North Pocono came up one match short in its quest for a District Two girls volleyball title this past week.
On Monday evening, the Lady Trojans journeyed all the way to Milford to battle Wyoming Valley West in the Class AAA semis.
Under the watchful eye of Coach Joanne Perry, the local lasses shrugged off a slow start and rolled to an impressive 3-1 win.
“They had me a little bit worried there after the first game,” Coach Perry confided to The Villager just moments after the victory. “But, the girls pulled it together after that. They are really starting to buy into what we’re teaching them and it shows.”
Unfortunately for local fans, North Pocono couldn’t sustain the momentum. The Lady Trojans ran out of steam in the championship game, dropping a 3-0 decision to Delaware Valley, Class AAA’s #1 seed.
With this last loss, North Pocono closed out a stellar season with an 11-5 mark. DV now advances to the PIAA state tournament. The Warriors boast a 15-1 record, including three wins over the Lady Trojans.
Semifinals
North Pocono rolled into the Class AAA semifinals having won both of their regular season encounters with Valley West.
The Lady Trojans swept the Spartans back in Week One, but they had their hands full in a razor-thin 3-2 win on Oct. 13th.
“They’re a much improv-ed team,” Coach Perry said on the eve of this key match. “We’re definitely not taking them lightly.”
And, that’s a good thing because Valley West came to play on this day. The Spartans shocked a big group of Moscow fans by racing out to an early lead in Game One, then holding on for a 25-19 decision.
Elizabeth “Lizzy” Lisiecki did her best to keep North Pocono in this first game.
A big-hitting senior, Lisiecki twice pulled her team to within a single point with key kills.
Nicole Malec sizzled at the service line and Kayla Kishbaugh contributed two big blocks, but it just wasn’t enough.
To their immense credit, the Lady Trojans battled their way through this early match malaise and took control midway through the second contest.
Kelli Bray paced the Lady Trojan attack. A 6’1” junior who boasts a commanding presence in the front row, Bray excelled in all facets of the game.
Kelli executed a textbook block, then ripped a pair of laserbeam crosscourt kills. Bray eventually served out the game, giving North Pocono a 25-20 win.
Alyssa Strausser also made her presence felt in this game. A senior middle hitter, Strausser cut loose with a resounding kill of her own in helping the Lady Tro-jans seize momentum.
Coach Perry’s girls stomped on the gas pedal in Game Three, racing out to a quick 3-0 lead.
Alyssa Hamill leapt into the spotlight here. The senior libero raced all over the court to keep points alive.
Hamill would finish out the match with a team-best eight digs.
North Pocono was never seriously threatened in this one and eventually posted a 25-21 victory. All that remained was to author one more solid effort...and that’s just what the Lady Trojans did in Game Four.
By this time, Valley West players, coaches and fans could read the writing on the wall. The Spartans fell behind quickly and never recovered in absorbing a 25-14 loss.
Over & Out
Malec led the way offensively in this semifinal win. Nicole recorded a match-best 20 assists.
Bray finished with eight kills and four blocks, while Strausser added six kills.
