Larger text
Smaller text
Freeport volleyball upset by Ambridge
• PIAA track and field championships
• Chartiers Valley’s Coyne enjoys pre-prom celebration at PIAA meet
• Hempfield’s Holmberg takes 2nd at PIAA meet with career best leap
• Kiski Area relayers overcome chilly conditions to advance to PIAA finals
By Dave Yohe
Published: Thursday, November 1, 2012, 12:04 a.m.
Updated: Thursday, November 1, 2012
Freeport coach Tom Phillips knew a lack of intensity or a lapse in concentration could lead to issues for his team.
In this case, it led to an early exit from the WPIAL Class AA girls volleyball playoffs.
No. 2 seed Freeport was unable to establish any momentum and dropped a 3-2 decision to No. 7 Ambridge in the quarterfinals Wednesday night at Seneca Valley.
Freeport was hoping to push for a fourth straight appearance in the WPIAL finals, but this season ended woefully short compared to the past three.
“From beginning to end tonight, to be honest with you, we just didn't play,” Phillips said. “I don't know if we weren't prepared to play tonight, but we certainly didn't play anything like we've played (this season).”
Freeport took the first game, 26-24, dropped the second, 25-21, and won the third, 25-21, before dropping the final two, 25-23 and 15-8.
Freeport's problems began with the first game.
“From the service line, we were horrible. Our defense was horrible,” Phillips said. “(We had) very few blocks today, a lack of intensity all over the floor.”
Trailing 7-4, Freeport (12-2) went on an 11-3 run, grabbing a 15-12 lead at the midpoint of the game.
Ambridge (11-1) immediately took the lead back with a 6-0 run, establishing a 17-15 advantage.
Though game one went Freeport's way, game two may have been the biggest sign of things to come.
Immediately, Freeport dug its way into a 9-0 hole. The closest the Yellowjackets got was 22-20.
“We struggled passing the ball,” Phillips said. “Our offense is very potent when it's on. But you've got to be able to pass the ball.”
Game four started like game two, with Ambridge going on an early 8-2 run. Freeport was able to battle back, forcing ties at 18 and 19 points apiece, but Ambridge held to force a fifth game.
In that deciding game, Freeport stalled, surrendering a 9-2 run by Ambridge to close out the match.
Junior Alexis Shrecengost led Freeport with 28 service points and 10 kills.
Freshman Zoe Pawlak had 16 service points and nine kills, and senior Ashley Smaple had 14 service points and four kills.
Ambridge ensured itself a spot in the PIAA playoffs as one of the WPIAL's final four. The Bridgers will play Mars in the semifinals at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at North Allegheny.
Dave Yohe is a freelance writer.
Most Popular Stories
- Kovacevic: Matt Cooke 1, Ottawa Senators 0
- Penguins rout Senators, return to Eastern Conference final
- Letang dazzles with dynamic play in Game 5 win
- Pirates waste strong Burnett start, fall again to Brewers at Miller Park
- Penguins notebook: Tickets for Eastern Conference final on sale today
- 16-year-old girl shot and killed on Rankin street
- Senators boxed in by penalties
- Steelers hope new blocking scheme kick-starts running game
- Ganassi drivers Franchitti, Dixon facing an uphill battle at Indy 500
-
Burrell relay, Springdale hurdler test their talents in PIAA prelims
- Pirates notebook: Bucs shut down injured Karstens
You must be signed in to add comments
To comment, click the Sign in or sign up at the very top of this page.
Subscribe today! Click here for our subscription offers.
