On Sept. 2, the State High Girls Volleyball Team took on a competitive rival, the Cumberland Valley Eagles. Both teams entered the night sporting 2-0 records in a battle to stay unbeaten in the young season.
As the game began, each side was trading blows with the other. Every time Cumberland Valley tried to take a lead, the Little Lions would respond, resulting in a 7-7 score partway through the first set. Being such a dominant team, they aren’t in the face of adversity all the time, but they know how to get through it when it does appear. Ella Doby, a senior outside hitter, voiced how the team stays connected to push through.
“I think we all trust each other, and when I look at Stella and I mess up, then I remember she’s my friend, so I am motivated to do better next time,” Doby said.
This mindset is just what State High needed to propel itself past the Eagles in a dominating 25-15 first set win. As State High operates, it is apparent that they have some of the most grit and determination that a team could have. A ball will never hit the floor without at least one Little Lion making a play on it. But usually, this doesn’t have to happen as they pass the ball incredibly well. Four players had double digits in the digs category, including senior Helena Woskob, who had 18.
The second set maintained the same blazing pace as the Little Lions went on a 5-0 run. A major part of State High’s dominance is its ability to get the balls to its hitters. Freshman Nora Cawley posted 15 assists, and junior Kenzie Kurzinger posted an additional 13. The battering continued as the elite defense from the Little Lions and errors from the Eagles led to a 25-16 win in the second set. Sophomore Stella Cawley couldn’t be stopped, no matter how she attacked, putting up 11 kills on the night. Stella Cawley’s breakout year is in part due to playing with her sister.
“Having my sister as my setter, and the connection we have…we play club together, so we are used to playing with each other, so that makes it a lot easier to just connect with her,” Cawley said.
With a two-sets-to-none lead, the Little Lions were amped up to finish off the match while Cumberland Valley was trying to claw back and avoid the sweep.
“I feel like we have recently done a good job with just siding out quickly and serving and passing. We don’t really get too many aces against us, and I feel like that really contributes,” Doby said.
However, the defense for State High seemed to slip mid-way through the set as the Eagles established a 5-point lead. One of the major reasons the Little Lions are able to beat their opponents is not only because of their elite defense and offense, but also the camaraderie that holds the team together. Each player is arguably more exuberant when someone else on the team makes a spectacular play. The team spirit played a major role in forging State High’s comeback that it was able to pull off during the third set. With solid serve receiving and some key blocks from junior middle Lily Glenna, who had four on the night, the girls were able to win a nail-biter of a third set to secure a 25-21 victory and complete the sweep.
This marked their third win of the season. As of Sept. 17, they are still undefeated at 7-0. The team is back on the road next Monday to take on Altoona.
