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Clean sweep: Punxsy handles Clearfield |
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Written by Dan Walk
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Wednesday, 09 September 2009 |
Punxsy's Kristen Fedder (front) and Alexis Bianco both get in position to pass the ball during Set No. 2 of the Lady Chucks' 3-0 win over Clearfield Tuesday. (Photo by Dan Walk/The Punxsutawney Spirit)
PUNXSUTAWNEY — While the Punxsy volleyball team didn't play the crisp kind of ball early on that its fans have become accustomed to in the past, the Lady Chucks grew stronger as the match went on during a 3-0 sweep over Clearfield Tuesday night.
Punxsy, which was coming off a 2-2 record at the Slippery Rock tournament Saturday, started its home schedule with a straight-set victory of 25-11, 25-11 and 25-18.
A few missed serves and too many girls going after the same ball led to a few problems. But led by junior captain Hannah Neal, the Lady Chucks prevailed.
"It was nice for the first home match. They definitely had a lot of jitters, as evident by the missed serves and the hesitation on the passes. You could see it in their eyes," Punxsy head coach Lisa Good said. "They just have to go for it, and they do in practice. They just have to carry that over into the games."
Punxsy led just 10-7 during the first set when Neal served the Lady Chucks toward an 18-7 advantage. That carried over to a 14-point victory.
In the second set, Punxsy was in control from the start when it led 7-2 and 11-6 early. A five-point service run by Neal pushed Punxsy's lead to 16-6, and another 25-11 victory was accomplished.
Both squads struggled for rallies during the third set, as Punxsy held a 20-18 edge late in the set. That's when Kristen Fedder served Punxsy toward five-straight points to close out the match.
Neal led the defense and offense with 16 digs and 15 service points, including five aces.
"She did well back there," Good said. "She's a very good passer."
She also received some passing help from Alexis Bianco and Corri Snyder, who had six digs apiece. Fedder followed with four digs, and Tawnee Bowers and Shawnna Crago totaled three.
Bianco managed a team-best 10 kills and had a hit percentage of 59. Crago totaled seven kills out of 17 hits, a percentage of 41. Good said Crago, who didn't play much varsity ball as a sophomore last year, is progressing a lot quicker than expected.
"Lexi is where I expected her to be, but Shawnna is coming up, too," she said. "Shawnna Crago is coming on very nicely."
Rachel Humble contributed with a squad-high 13 set assists, and Fedder had 10 set assists to go along with 11 service points and two aces.
Bowers (three service points) and Snyder (eight service points) each had two service aces.
On the junior-varsity side of things, Punxsy dominated and won 25-6, 25-8.
Both Kaitlyn Cressley and Cassie Cook totaled seven service aces in the first set, as did Ashley Barenchik during the second set.
Also during the second set, Mary Sloniger, Chelsea Engeholm and Brooke Doney played well defensively, and Shayla Brink put together a nice service run.
The Lady Chucks (1-0, 1-0) play again at home this week when they face off against Brockway at 6 p.m. Thursday.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 10 September 2009 )
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