Weekly round-up by Lisa Renwick, contributor to Eight & 322 with photographs from Monday's five-set win by Franklin at home against Cranberry by Richard Sayer of Eight & 322.
| One of the biggest reasons District 10 girls volleyball is so entertaining is the unpredictability. Sure, there are teams that have great tradition and are counted on year-in and year-out to have good and lengthy seasons. But there are always surprises. This year is no different. Just look at the teams leading their respective regions heading into today’s action: Region 1 - Rocky Grove and West MIddlesex; Region 2 - Cochranton; Region 3 - Sharpsville; Region 4 - Harbor Creek; Region 5 - Conneaut Area; and Region 6 - Villa Maria. Granted, some of those teams are in a familiar position: namely Cochranton, who posted a huge four-set win over Sharpsville on Saturday to remain unbeaten, and Conneaut Area - both defending champions. |  |
But when was the last time you saw Rocky Grove battling for a region crown? Or, sure Villa Maria had a great season a year ago. But here they are now at 5-0 overall and atop a region that consists of Fort LeBoeuf, McDowell and General McLane - all premiere squads.
And how about Region 4? Harbor Creek? Again, not a huge shock as Conneaut Valley graduate Ryan Smock has done a fabulous job as the Huskies’ coach. But they are looking down on Corry, who has dominated in Erie County over the years.
Then there’s Region 3. Now, Sharpsville leading that region isn’t a big surprise either. The surprise is where Maplewood currently sits in the mix. The Tigers are 4-3 overall and 3-1 in the region tied with Reynolds for fourth place.
Veteran head coach Sheila Bancroft noted at the start of the season just how important it was going to be to bring your ‘A’ game to every region match. Unfortunately, in Region 3 and Region 4, teams play each other just once. There is absolutely no room for error; no room for redemption. The only thing teams can do in those regions is learn from the losses and use them to their advantage in preparation for the postseason as Maplewood is doing.
Both of Maplewood’s losses going into Monday’s match against Saegertown were sweeps. The Tigers lost to Meadville in three sets in their season opener. Then on Thursday, Maplewood fell victim to region foe Sharpsville in three sets. Sadie Thomas had 18 kills and three aces in the loss. McKenna Crawford had 22 digs.
Veteran head coach Sheila Bancroft noted at the start of the season just how important it was going to be to bring your ‘A’ game to every region match. Unfortunately, in Region 3 and Region 4, teams play each other just once. There is absolutely no room for error; no room for redemption. The only thing teams can do in those regions is learn from the losses and use them to their advantage in preparation for the postseason as Maplewood is doing.
Both of Maplewood’s losses going into Monday’s match against Saegertown were sweeps. The Tigers lost to Meadville in three sets in their season opener. Then on Thursday, Maplewood fell victim to region foe Sharpsville in three sets. Sadie Thomas had 18 kills and three aces in the loss. McKenna Crawford had 22 digs.
The very next day, Maplewood left Fort LeBoeuf with a five-set victory in which Sadie Thomas pounded out 28 kills to go along with 18 digs. McKenna Crawford had 36 digs. So what’s the story at Maplewood? Bit of a rollercoaster?
“Agree on the rollercoaster ride, but we have not reached the peak of the hill yet,” Bancroft said. “Sharpsville is a good team and we just did not play our best ball. They start five seniors and they have played a lot of ball together. I don’t like the fact that we only play teams one time in our region. The one thing that was positive in the loss, we changed our lineup and went to FLB the next night and played pretty well.
We played better as a team and not individuals on the floor.”
“Agree on the rollercoaster ride, but we have not reached the peak of the hill yet,” Bancroft said. “Sharpsville is a good team and we just did not play our best ball. They start five seniors and they have played a lot of ball together. I don’t like the fact that we only play teams one time in our region. The one thing that was positive in the loss, we changed our lineup and went to FLB the next night and played pretty well.
We played better as a team and not individuals on the floor.”
Meadville has had a similar kind of season.
“I think there is a lot of room for our team to grow,” Meadville coach Tim Schleicher said. “While we have played well at times, we have also struggled quite a bit too. Our goal right now is to get more and more consistent on the court.
“We have had great stretches, yet also struggled with unforced errors at times. I think that is true of all three matches we have played, a win in 3, a win in 5, and a loss in 3. If we can reduce the length of poor stretches and increase the positive ones, we will be competitive.
“When we are serving well to put pressure on teams to run their offense, passing well to set up ours, and defending well - we are giving ourselves a chance to win.”
“I think there is a lot of room for our team to grow,” Meadville coach Tim Schleicher said. “While we have played well at times, we have also struggled quite a bit too. Our goal right now is to get more and more consistent on the court.
“We have had great stretches, yet also struggled with unforced errors at times. I think that is true of all three matches we have played, a win in 3, a win in 5, and a loss in 3. If we can reduce the length of poor stretches and increase the positive ones, we will be competitive.
“When we are serving well to put pressure on teams to run their offense, passing well to set up ours, and defending well - we are giving ourselves a chance to win.”
| How do Bancroft and Schleicher see the season playing out in Class 2A and Class 3A? “I feel that the competition in district 10 AA teams is very competitive,” Bancroft said. “Harborcreek has to be the favorite and Sharpsville is close behind. We have to remember that every day we get to play is a blessing! A lot of volleyball ahead of us and need to keep playing forward.” “I think the front runner in AAA is Villa. They are a strong team with some really talented athletes," added Schleicher. "We lost to them in the finals of our tournament this weekend. Warren is right there with them. They are a calm, clean, strong unit. They don’t make many mistakes, serve well, and play with excellent defense. CASH is very good too, although I haven’t seen them in person yet (we play them Tuesday). I know they have great athletes, led by Kaylee Mattera. Christine (Krankota) and Lindsay (Hasbrouck) are excellent coaches and will be ready for us. FLB is excellent as well. Hickory is a tough team too, going 5 with us and Warren last week. “I haven’t seen Grove City but they took CASH to 4 games recently. AAA is a very competitive classification. I think the team that hits their stride at the right time will have a shot at the D10 title, but right now I think we are all chasing Villa.” |  |
 | Looking back Due to my negligence a week ago, there aren’t too many matches from last week to recap. On Wednesday, Oil City picked up a Region 3 win over Sharon, 25-20, 27-25, 22-25, 25-1. Jada Heeter had four aces for the Oilers (2-5 overall, 1-4 Region 3). On Thursday, Franklin dropped a five-set marathon against Wilmington. The Greyhounds won 25-13, 23-25, 25-10, 24-26, 15-9. Gabby LaJeunesse had 42 digs while Kyla Hart added 27 digs. Warren swept past Meadville. Looking ahead On Monday night, Franklin hosted Cranberry in a backyard matchup and won in five sets. |
There were a couple other big non-region tilts. Saegertown traveled to Maplewood for an intradistrict contest. The Panthers beat the Tigers 12-25, 25-18, 25-20, 25-19. Sadie Thomas had 22 kills for ‘Wood. McKenna Crawford had 26 digs; Avery Brunot and Trista Robinson had six kills each. Bailey Varndell had 34 assists.
Sharpsville and Villa Maria were to do battle up in Erie on Monday as well.
Tonight, Region 1 leading Rocky Grove is expected to return to action at home against Mercer. Franklin heads to Sharpsville, Maplewood to Oil City and Lakeview to Reynolds.
Looking to get in on one of the hottest girls volleyball rivalries instead? Head to the House of Thrills where Meadville plays host to Conneaut. It’s the CASH-MASH bash.
On Thursday, here’s what we have: Youngsville at Cochranton; Slippery Rock at Franklin; Reynolds at Maplewood; Meadville at Grove City; Sharon at Lakeview; HIckory at Oil City; Wilmington at Titusville; and Rocky Grove at Jamestown.
Notice anything about that schedule?
We’ve started Round 2 in some regions.
Sharpsville and Villa Maria were to do battle up in Erie on Monday as well.
Tonight, Region 1 leading Rocky Grove is expected to return to action at home against Mercer. Franklin heads to Sharpsville, Maplewood to Oil City and Lakeview to Reynolds.
Looking to get in on one of the hottest girls volleyball rivalries instead? Head to the House of Thrills where Meadville plays host to Conneaut. It’s the CASH-MASH bash.
On Thursday, here’s what we have: Youngsville at Cochranton; Slippery Rock at Franklin; Reynolds at Maplewood; Meadville at Grove City; Sharon at Lakeview; HIckory at Oil City; Wilmington at Titusville; and Rocky Grove at Jamestown.
Notice anything about that schedule?
We’ve started Round 2 in some regions.
Holding steady
Not much has changed in the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association rankings as far as leaders. Clarion and Trinity are at the top in Class 1A and 2A, respectively. There was some movement in Class 3 and 4A. Spring Grove moved up a spot to No. 1 in Class 3A. Parkland did the same in Class 4A.
As far as local squads, Harbor Creek is ranked fourth in Class 2A. Maplewood is No. 9.
Not much has changed in the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association rankings as far as leaders. Clarion and Trinity are at the top in Class 1A and 2A, respectively. There was some movement in Class 3 and 4A. Spring Grove moved up a spot to No. 1 in Class 3A. Parkland did the same in Class 4A.
As far as local squads, Harbor Creek is ranked fourth in Class 2A. Maplewood is No. 9.
Lisa Renwick was a long-time sports reporter and sports editor for The Meadville Tribune. She recently took another job in order to spend time with her family and especially her daughter Brynlee who is entering kindergarten.
Lisa has covered state champion volleyball programs in her tenure and is main reason girls athletics and volleyball has gotten such award winning coverage over the last 20 years. She has agreed to help us out here at Eight and 322 with this fall's volleyball season. We are thrilled to have her.
Lisa Renwick was a long-time sports reporter and sports editor for The Meadville Tribune. She recently took another job in order to spend time with her family and especially her daughter Brynlee who is entering kindergarten.
Lisa has covered state champion volleyball programs in her tenure and is main reason girls athletics and volleyball has gotten such award winning coverage over the last 20 years. She has agreed to help us out here at Eight and 322 with this fall's volleyball season. We are thrilled to have her.
Lisa has covered state champion volleyball programs in her tenure and is main reason girls athletics and volleyball has gotten such award winning coverage over the last 20 years. She has agreed to help us out here at Eight and 322 with this fall's volleyball season. We are thrilled to have her.
Lisa Renwick was a long-time sports reporter and sports editor for The Meadville Tribune. She recently took another job in order to spend time with her family and especially her daughter Brynlee who is entering kindergarten.
Lisa has covered state champion volleyball programs in her tenure and is main reason girls athletics and volleyball has gotten such award winning coverage over the last 20 years. She has agreed to help us out here at Eight and 322 with this fall's volleyball season. We are thrilled to have her.
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