Becahi completes perfect season with title
When two teams are evenly matched, typically the most composed team has a distinct advantage.
After all, a sense of nervousness is common when competing in a high-pressure situation, especially in high school athletics.
Just don’t tell that to the Bethlehem Catholic girls volleyball team.
The Golden Hawks displayed calmness and comfort even in the most uncomfortable moments of their PIAA Class 3A final against Franklin Regional on Saturday afternoon.
At no point did Becahi take its foot off the gas pedal, as it cruised to a straight-set sweep of the District 7 champion 25-17, 25-21, 25-17 at Cumberland Valley High School.
With the win, the Golden Hawks claim the second state title in program history, and District 11’s first girls volleyball state crown since 2015.
Becahi opened the match with a quick lead in the first set and never appeared in any real danger. The Panthers, who were competing in their first state final, struggled at the service line early in the match, and appeared noticeably tight, especially with their passing game. Numerous passes were off the mark, making it difficult for their hitters to create any offense.
While Franklin Regional was beating themselves on several points, the Golden Hawks took full advantage and heated up in a big way.
Sophomore Jodi Hewitt played like a seasoned veteran in the first set and, really, throughout the match. Hewitt registered five of her 10 kills in the first set, which enabled her team to take a quick lead.
While big hitter MacKenzy Ruggiero caught fire in the second set, the Becahi defense also impressed. Kyleigh Brown covered the court well in the second, keeping her team alive in several points.
Brown’s defensive effort throughout the season has been nothing short of astonishing.
Senior Rileigh Cummings’ fivestraight service points helped give the Golden Hawks a big second set lead.
With a 23-13 lead, it appeared Becahi would cruise in the second set, but then the Panthers went on their biggest run of the match to close to 23-21. Hewitt then nailed a clean kill to put that run to a halt. Becahi would win the next point, too, which gave them a commanding two-set advantage.
Any comeback thoughts Franklin Regional may have had went away early in the third set. When the Panthers won a big point, the Golden Hawks answered with three.
Brown served seven straight points to provide a huge boost for Becahi, and Ruggiero led all hitters with five of her 13 kills in a third set that looked similar to a practice session for Becahi. The Golden Hawk junior put the finishing touches on the state title with back-to-back kills to close out the match.
Immediately following Ruggiero’s final kill, a dogpile ensued on Bethlehem Catholic’s side of the court, as the team celebrated its state gold. The Golden Hawks finish the year with a perfect 18-0 record.
Earlier in the day in the PIAA Class A finals, Marian Catholic was swept by Clarion Area 25-16, 25-14, 25-15.